Former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has admitted that he identified a current member of the midfield ranks at Premier League leaders Arsenal as a leading transfer target during his time in charge at the Spotify Camp Nou.
The player in question? Martín Zubimendi.
Barcelona were heavily linked with a move for Spanish international Zubimendi throughout the 27-year-old’s time on the books of Real Sociedad.
This alleged interest heightened at the point at which it was confirmed that Sergio Busquets would be departing for Major League Soccer.
And as alluded to above, the leading figure behind this push in Barcelona was none other than Xavi.
Speaking during an interview with La Vanguardia over the last 24 hours, Blaugrana icon Xavi was drawn on the name of now-Arsenal man Zubimendi.
And the tactician went on to admit:
“I asked the Barcelona management to sign Martín Zubimendi, they told me no. It was a financial decision, they signed a cheaper option. But we lost Busquets… and I said: but how’s this possible [that we can’t sign Zubimendi]?”
Conor Laird – GSFN
