MY ACCOUNT
Xavi is reportedly keen to offload multiple senior players as the new Barcelona boss looks to rebuild the struggling Catalans.
Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto are four household names that could see their time in Spain end sooner rather than later.
Alba, 32, is keen to join up with former team-mate Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, report El Nacional — the left-back combined well with the Argentine at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona are struggling financially which led to them signing several free agents in the summer.
The Blaugrana are looking to free up their wage bill and the sale of the quartet, who all played alongside their new boss, would give Xavi the perfect opportunity to stamp his mark on the Barca team.
Pique and Busquets both debuted for Barca in 2008, meaning they have spent over 12 years at the club — winning eight Spanish titles in the process.
With a catalogue of youth also fighting their way into the first team, there has been less opportunity for the older generation to play.
There is certainly a need for Barca to rebuild their squad in the coming months — they currently sit ninth in LaLiga and second in their Champions League group.
Maitland-Niles focused on Arsenal
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has insisted that his focus is purely on Arsenal after publicly announcing his desire to leave the North London club in the summer.
The England international put in a man-of-the-match performance in his side’s 1-0 win over Watford on Sunday and claimed he is only looking forward.
He said: “I am just thinking about the future and what’s ahead of me.
“It was great to be out there today, getting my minutes, and hopefully there is more to come.”
Maitland-Niles was keen on a move to Everton in the summer but is now pushing to become a first-team regular at the Gunners.
In other news
El Nacional report that Real Madrid playmaker Marco Asensio could leave the club if their £35million valuation is met amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.
Up to thirteen clubs are interested in the signing of Phil Jones, according to The Sun — Newcastle and Watford are said to be keen on signing the 29-year-old.
Italian outlet Calciomercato report that Juventus are willing to allow midfielder Aaron Ramsey to leave for free despite the Welshman still having 18 months left on his contract.
Tottenham and Barcelona could be set to battle it out for the signature of Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic, according to reports from La Nazione the Italian club are demanding £60m to agree a sale.
