Barcelona: Xavi makes move for £165k-p/w Premier League star

Barcelona coach Xavi is more than keen on adding to his La Liga-topping squad…

Manchester City and Germany star Ilkay Gundogan is seemingly next on the list.

What’s the word?

That is according to Spanish outlet AS, who claim that Xavi has reached out to Pep Guardiola’s midfield maestro in regards to a potential summer switch to Camp Nou.

As the report skirts over, this would not be the first time that Barcelona have looked to raid current Premier League Champions Manchester City.

Back in 2021, the Catalan giants regained their La Masia youth prodigy Eric Garcia on a free transfer, whilst also prising Ferran Torres to Camp Nou just a matter of months later at the very start of the winter transfer window for a quoted fee of around £48million.

Logic prevails

Amidst Barcelona’s financial mess, astute business will be integral to them keeping their head above the water.

Last summer’s failed approach to sign Bernardo Silva was a lesson in itself, with the Portuguese international contracted with Manchester City until 2025.

And it seems as though logic has prevailed in that sense, with Xavi and co now setting their sights on signing the Citizens’ captain, Gundogan.

This is a move that seems achievable from a Barca standpoint, especially due to the fact that the 32-year-old’s contract at the Etihad Stadium expires come the end of the season.

The Final Say

Following the latest piece from AS, Barcelona’s first contact with Gundogan has been positive, with the Premier League star said to be willing to join the La Liga side even if he has to take a pay cut.

From the same source, it is said that the 32-year-old will be offered a three-year contract and would serve as the perfect complement to youthful midfield duo Pedri and Gavi.

Of course, since his switch from German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, Gundogan has been schooled in Pep’s modernised mass-possession style for almost seven years now, so his wealth of experience and respective ability to fit into Barcelona’s deeply engrained Tiki-Taka style makes the signing a no-brainer from Xavi’s perspective.

Averaging 54.54 passes per 90 with a pass completion accuracy of 87.7%, Gundogan can provide further stability in the Blaugrana engine room, whilst also functioning as a secret weapon from an attacking perspective with his 3.69 shot-creating actions per 90 placing him in the 90th percentile amongst positionally similar players over the last 365 days, according to FBref.