Xavi will want to keep his Barcelona rebuild rolling in 2023, including transfer activity in January and next summer.
Barcelona enter the return of club football in Spain as La Liga leaders, also carrying rekindled hopes of European glory in the Europa League. Xavi will want to bolster his Camp Nou rebuild with further transfer activity in January and the summer, and there could be four names at the top of his wishlist.
Josip Juranovic (Celtic)
Josip Juranovic has been launched into the transfer picture after enjoying a sensational World Cup with Croatia, and Tuttomercatoweb have placed Barcelona at the front of the queue. The 27-year-old has been tipped for a January switch, with Celtic already recruiting a potential replacement in Canada international Alistair Johnston.
Barcelona are keen to sign a right-back, but heavily-linked Diogo Dalot is expected to commit his long-term future to Manchester United. They could attempt to complete a bargain deal for Juranovic in the new year amid suggestions the Hoops are willing to accept a £6million offer.
N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
N’Golo Kante is entering the final six months of his Chelsea contract, and Barcelona is an increasingly likely destination. According to SPORT, the 31-year-old midfielder is nearing a pre-contract agreement over a free transfer to Catalonia at the end of the season.
With Sergio Busquets set to leave Barca as a free agent in July, Xavi will want to replace him with another experienced head to combine with Gavi and Pedri’s youthful excellence. And Kante could be the perfect candidate if he beats his injury woes.
Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
Barcelona failed to sign Adrien Rabiot in 2019 but will get another bite at the cherry this summer. The 27-year-old’s impressive World Cup exploits with France will have stirred interest in a free transfer at the end of the season, and the Blaugrana are among his suitors.
Spanish reports claim that Rabiot would like to join Barcelona and is ready to snub lucrative Premier League offers to secure a switch. With Busquets’ exit impending and Frenkie de Jong’s future uncertain, Xavi could look to seal two midfield bargains at the end of the campaign.
