Barcelona manager Xavi may reportedly give consideration to making an approach for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.
Despite having won the La Liga title, the Catalan giants face the task of reducing their squad numbers in order to generate much-needed funds over the coming months.
Significant cutbacks are required in order to be able to sign and register new players, and that process has already been helped by Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets leaving on free transfers.
More exits will follow, including a number of fringe players who have been out on loan during 2022-23, while president Joan Laporta is aware that the club can benefit if a big name is sold for the right price.
In the background, though, Barcelona have also identified their own targets with the likes of Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan potential arrivals on free transfers.
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The signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers star Ruben Neves remains a possibility, depending on the level of funds generated from other sales, but it appears that Xavi has his eyes on an alternative player for the centre of the pitch.
According to reports in Spain, Xavi is an admirer of Lo Celso and would be open to signing him before the end of the summer transfer window.
The Argentina international has spent the last 18 months on loan at Villarreal, chipping in with three goals and four assists from 51 appearances in all competitions.
Although his second season at the Yellow Submarine was disrupted by injury, the playmaker returned towards the end of the campaign to help his side to fifth place in La Liga.
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The 27-year-old is now back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where his parent club must decide whether to sell him or retain his services as Ange Postecoglou looks to put together a new-look squad.
With two years left on his contract, Spurs can realistically afford to keep Lo Celso unless they receive an offer which proves too good to turn down.
Whether that can come from Barcelona remains to be seen, yet Xavi is said to feel that Lo Celso 'has the profile' to become a success at Camp Nou.
No deal is likely to progress at this stage, however, with Barcelona focusing on other targets and Postecoglou theoretically ready to take a look at the returning player during pre-season.
Darren Plant
