Xavi gives reasons why Barcelona cannot spend big to buy top players
ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM - DECEMBER 13: Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona during the press conference following the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Royal Antwerp FC and FC Barcelona at the Stadion Bosuil on December 13, 2023 in Antwerpen, Belgium. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Coach Xavi Hernandez says Barcelona can no longer afford to pay exorbitant transfer prices for elite players like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Barcelona paid more than 100 million euros ($109.24 million) for Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele between 2017 and 2019. However, given the club’s financial difficulties, it seems unlikely that they will make a major acquisition anytime soon.
Xavi has said they are hoping to sign new players in the January transfer window but when asked if they could go after the likes of Manchester City’s Haaland or France captain Mbappe he told reporters: “I have to deal with the players I have, because right now we are not able to think about those kinds of signings.
“Unfortunately, we are not in a privileged situation economically to do that. I am left with the players I have, and with those players we have to win,” added the Spaniard, speaking ahead of Barcelona’s league game at Las Palmas on Thursday.
“We have to win titles and we have to play well because the bar is very high.”
Barcelona are sitting fourth on the La Liga table, 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid, who have played one more game than the Catalonians.
