Xavi still pushing Barcelona to sign a new attacking midfielder – report

For a club in financial distress, Barcelona have enjoyed a fine transfer window.

The departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were indeed big blows, but the administration has made smart signings of Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu, Inigo Martinez, Vitor Roque, and likely even Joao Cancelo.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are still not done in the transfer season. The Spanish outlet reports that Xavi Hernandez is eyeing one more attacking midfielder if the financial situation permits so.

Dying days in the market

The summer transfer window is football’s annual festival of trades. The two-month-long window gives clubs across the globe a chance to add or remove players from their squad in preparation for the season ahead.

Now, however, only four days remain before the market closes. Most high-quality options on the market have already been grabbed by this stage of the window, leaving the Catalans with few options.

But, Xavi insists on signing a new attacking midfielder, especially following the injury to Pedri.

The club, however, will not sign anyone just for the sake of it and will only consider a move for a ‘differential’ player, someone who can be a bonafide difference-maker and offer different qualities to the team.

Both practically and financially, it will be difficult to pull off such a transfer, even on loan.

Emerging options in La Masia

Xavi already has sufficient depth in attacking midfield in the form of Gavi, Pedri, and Gundogan.

And, the young Fermin Lopez makes a strong case to be the backup attacking midfielder should Barcelona fail to secure a new signing. After all, he has been a revelation in recent weeks.

The 20-year-old was a spark in Barcelona’s preseason campaign, making three goal contributions in four games. Notably, he recorded a goal and an assist against Real Madrid in the Clasico in the USA.

It would thus be wise for the manager to place his money on the La Masia starlet, especially given the academy’s excellent output in recent years.