Barcelona would still like to sign Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gündogan, but the duo are not easy signings to get over the line.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who cover the situation at the Nou Camp today as Xavi eyes more signings in January.
The newspaper explains that the Catalans’ economic situation means they are not in the best shape to tackle the transfer market next month.
Xavi want to know what the margins are for him to make moves and bring in reinforcements, with his priority to sign a right-back and a midfielder who can play as a creative role or as a pivot.
A summit between him, President Joan Laporta and the entire sporting leadership of the club has been planned which will be headed by director of football Mateu Alemany and sporting director Jordi Cruyff.
Departures are needed before new players can arrive but that has not stopped the Barcelona manager eyeing up new arrivals.
Among the midfielders on his list are Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gündogan, who have been linked since the summer and remain on the list.
They are ‘desired’ by the management as they look to improve the squad next month, but both of them would ‘difficult’ to get over the line.
There is no explanation as to why the Manchester City are difficult to sign, although it is presumably because both are key players in Pep Guardiola’s side, and he would be loathe to lose them in the middle of the campaign.
Either way, Barcelona are keen on them, although they first need to find out if they have the financial leeway to make any signings before pursuing them seriously.
