Xavi emphasizes that Luuk de Jong and Yusuf Demir are ‘just’ part of the Barcelona selection for the time being. The two have recently been explicitly linked to a departure from the Spanish top club: there is already an agreement about a temporary transfer from De Jong to Cádiz, while Barcelona would like to prematurely terminate the lease with Rapid Wien about Demir. Xavi admits that players will have to leave this month to make purchases.
“They are part of the team and still have a contract. They still have a contract for the time being,” says Xavi about De Jong and Demir. At the same time, the Barcelona coach admits that outgoing transfers are underway, which should make financial room for new acquisitions. We will have to assess many things now that the transfer window is open. But it is clear that players have to leave before we can make any purchases.”
One of the names that has been mentioned emphatically at Tottenham in recent days is that of lvaro Morata. “Let’s talk about the players we have. Ferran Torres and Dani Alves have already been brought in and will help us immensely. The rest of the names mentioned are purely speculative,” emphasizes Xavi, who is very happy with the arrival of Ferran Torres. “He has worked under great coaches like Pep (Guardiola, ed.) and Luis Enrique, so he will add a lot to us.”
Xavi furious about ‘competition distortion’: ‘I don’t understand it’
Xavi spoke out strongly on Saturday against LaLiga’s decision to continue the match between RCD Mallorca and Barcelona ‘normally’.
At the press conference in the run-up to the away match against RCD Mallorca, Xavi also received questions about Ousmane Dembélé. In recent days, it has been reported that it appears that Barcelona and the French attacker will not agree on extending his expiring contract, which beckons a (free transfer) departure. Xavi is nevertheless optimistic about Dembele’s future at Barcelona.
“The negotiations are difficult, but it is a process and I am optimistic. The agents do not understand the situation. I’ve spoken to him again and we’ll see,” said Xavi. “I am not disappointed, I hope he stays. He is a player who can make a difference, one of the best in his position. I told him that we need him, that he is going to be an important player. We have an interesting project ahead of him. But I can only use sporting arguments, not financial ones. Barcelona is the best club in the world, the sporting aspect is always more important than the financial one. I made that clear to him, so I’m hopeful.”