Xavi will wait until deadline day for ‘top’ pivot midfielder, €60m ace remains No. 1 target

As Barcelona enter into the summer market, manager Xavi Hernandez has made it abundantly clear that the priority for the window is to sign a top player in the pivot midfield position to replace Sergio Busquets.

The 34-year-old will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract on June 30, with a reunion with Inter Miami on the cards for the Barcelona legend.

Busquets’ departure is bound to leave a huge void in the midfield department at Barça and Xavi has made it a point that he wants to sign a ‘top’ player to replace his exit-bound captain.

And, according to Javi Miguel of AS, the stance has not changed despite Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play issues and the club losing targets quite rapidly.

Indeed, Xavi still wishes to sign a top player to reinforce the defensive pivot position. And in order to do that, the Barça head coach is willing to wait until the last day of the summer transfer window.

As things stand, Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad continues to be the No. 1 target for Xavi and the Blaugrana.

Signing the Spanish international from La Real will not be an easy task though as he comes with a €60 million release clause with the Basque club in no mood to negotiate a lower fee.

Furthermore, Zubimendi himself has shown no indication that he wishes to leave Sociedad for Barcelona. But the Catalans, Xavi in particular, remain intent on his signing and are prepared to put in all efforts to pull off the transfer.

The manager’s desire to sign a top player and wait until the last day for his desired signing might have been the reason behind Barcelona ending their pursuit of Sofyan Amrabat, as the Moroccan was keen to resolve his future right away.

However, a move for Zubimendi appears very complicated and the La Liga champions will need to make some important sales in order to have the budget and the room for his signinig and registration.