MY ACCOUNT
Barcelona head coach Xavi has called for the transfer window to close before the start of the LaLiga season in the future amid uncertainty over a number of players in his squad.
Despite their delicate financial situation, the Catalans have moved to sign Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen this window.
Barca’s focus is now on offloading players to help balance the books, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong all being linked with moves away.
According to widespread reports on Saturday, Chelsea are engaged in talks with Barca over a deal for Aubameyang, who only arrived from Arsenal earlier this year.
De Jong continues to be touted as a target for Premier League sides, meanwhile, and Depay is reportedly closing in on a switch to Juventus.
However, Xavi confirmed at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game with Real Sociedad that he intends to continue selecting those players while they remain at the club.
“It’s not a comfortable situation,” Xavi said when asked about the final two weeks of the transfer window. “The market should be closed before the competition starts.
“I think it’s poorly organised. In the end, nobody can work in peace. You prepare for a match with a player and he may end up leaving, so it’s clearly not an ideal scenario.”
When probed on rumours that Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Aubameyang, Xavi said: “The market ends on August 31 and we don’t know what will happen.
“We’ll have to see. Right now he’s our player and I’m counting on him. For now he’s an important player for us, but let’s see what happens.
“At the moment nobody mentioned has left. Tomorrow we can use Memphis and Aubameyang. If an offer arrives for either of them, we’ll assess what to do.
“Right now the priority is to sign up Jules [Kounde]. From there we can decide if we need to make a move or not.”
Kounde is the only new signing yet to be registered by Barca, who have been forced to sell off non-playing assets and activate various ‘levers’ to meet LaLiga’s salary rules.
Providing an update on Kounde’s situation ahead of the trip to Anoeta, where Barcelona are unbeaten in their past six visits, Xavi said: “We are waiting. We have time.
“Tomorrow we will give the list, but right now everything is on stand-by. There is nothing new to tell you.
“I’ve spoken to Jules and given him my idea of the game. He is a very classy centre-back and has experience, leadership and can win duels. He is an extraordinary footballer.”
Barca started their season with a goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano last week and will be looking to hit back against Sociedad.
The Catalan club’s 21 shots on matchday one were the most they have registered in the league without scoring since a stalemate with Malaga in November 2016 (29 shots).
“The match against Rayo was a football disgrace,” Xavi said. “We deserved to win the match and played well, but we lacked effectiveness.
“Now we face Sociedad, who are a team that can do a lot of good things. They have talent in midfield and fast attackers, while their defenders and goalkeeper are strong.”
Barca, who are without the suspended Sergio Busquets, have failed to win or score in their last three LaLiga matches – never before have they fired four blanks in a row.
