Revealed: Xavi's Barcelona transfer shortlist

FT Desk

• 1 Jun 2022 12:55 BST
• 4 min read

Xavi is set to be handed the funds to improve Barcelona's squad this summer with the club looking to raise €840 million with a finance deal. Robert Lewandowski is joined by some other stars at the top of his shopping list.

Barcelona finished the season empty-handed – something club and coach are rather unaccustomed to having combined for 25 major honours when Xavi was a midfielder with them between 1998 and 2015.

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Barca were 13 points off Real Madrid's La Liga-setting pace, while they could only watch on as their Clasico rivals won the Champions League, having seen their own run in the competition come to an end at the group stage.

Reinforcements are needed, and now Barcelona have a transfer budget, who might they spend it on?

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Robert Lewandowski

Spanish sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo is the latest to report that Xavi's greatest wish is to add Robert Lewandowski to his squad. The Poland captain still has a year to run on his Bayern Munich contract, but the feeling is apparently mutual.

"As of today, my story at Bayern is over," he said ahead of Poland's UEFA Nations League meeting with Wales. "After what happened in the last few months, I don't see any chance to continue my career at the club. I hope they don't make me stay just because they can."

Barca have reportedly made an opening bid of €32m for the striker, who plundered 50 goals in 46 games in all competitions last season, despite his 33 years. With Sergio Aguero retiring due to heart trouble and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Barca's top scorer with 20 – managing less than half of that total, the need for a striker is clear.

Raphinha

Leeds United's Brazil international winger Raphinha will cost a significant sum – especially after the Yorkshire side preserved their Premier League status – with the English club having already rejected €55m for the player.

At 25, Raphinha likely still has his best years ahead of him, though, and his 11 goals and three assists for a side flirting with relegation have caught the eye. The need for attacking reinforcements in the wide areas could be thrown into sharper focus with contract rebel Ousmane Dembele looking increasingly unlikely to sign an extension at Camp Nou.

Chelsea defenders

Centre-back Andreas Christensen has already agreed terms on a summer free transfer from Chelsea to Barcelona, but Xavi is keen to add a pair of his former Stamford Bridge team-mates in Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso – who generally line up at right- and left-back respectively.

The Spanish duo each have one year to run on their Chelsea contracts and the London club are understood to be open to them leaving. Captain Azpilicueta had already negotiated with Blues transfer boss Marina Granovskaia that he could leave if he exceeded 30 games last term, which he did.

Other business

Xavi would like to partner Christensen with another centre-back, and Sevilla's Jules Kounde is understood to be his primary target. Sergino Dest and Clement Lenglet could be used as makeweights in any deal with Sevilla.

Finally, Mundo Deportivo claim that Manchester City's Bernardo Silva would be Xavi's favourite replacement in midfield should Frenkie de Jong be tempted away. De Jong has reasserted his desire to stay at Camp Nou, but the Dutchman's sale could raise welcome funds, and Bernardo might fancy a change of scene after five years in England.