Barcelona considering move for 42-year-old Real Madrid legend to replace Xavi, board members admire him

Barcelona find themselves in a difficult moment and the road ahead is not easy. Even though there are over three months left in the season, the Catalans are already pretty much out of contention in La Liga following last night’s 3-3 draw vs Granada.

The only hope of a trophy remains in the form of the UEFA Champions League, where they face a tricky tie against Napoli in the Round of 16.

Manager Xavi Hernandez has already announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season, claiming that the team is in need of a change in dynamic.

The hunt for a replacement for the club legend is already underway, with sporting director Deco juggling various options, including Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, Ruben Amorin, Julian Nagelsmann, and Mikel Arteta, among others.

Barcelona board members like Xabi Alonso

Now, a fresh report from Albert Masnou of SPORT is claiming that Barcelona also have former Real Madrid midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso as an option to replace Xavi.

Alonso, 42, spent six years at Real Madrid as a player and is a legend at the Spanish capital club. However, he happens to have some ties with Barcelona, too, as his father Miguel Angel ‘Periko’ Alonso played for the Catalan heavyweights for three years between 1982 and 1985.

Since taking over as manager of Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022, Alonso has done a sterling job, turning Die Werkself into one of the most exciting and in-form teams in Europe.

Indeed, Leverkusen are unbeaten so far this season across all competitions and sit atop the Bundesliga table and recently thrashed reigning champions Bayern Munich.

As such, Alonso’s work in Germany has earned him a swell of admirers within the Barcelona boardroom. Indeed, a section of the Catalan club’s board admires the 42-year-old and sees him as a candidate to replace Xavi.

Plan to deliver a blow to Madrid?

It must be remembered that Alonso was at Real Madrid during a time when the rivalry between them and Barcelona was at its worst with Jose Mourinho at the helm at the Bernabeu.

That, and the fact that he is revered at the Spanish capital club, would certainly be hurdles if Barcelona do decide to go after him. Furthermore, Liverpool have also been heavily linked with Alonso, with Klopp set to leave in the summer.

Despite that, Barcelona are contemplating the option of making a move before anyone else and securing Alonso’s services.

The 42-year-old spent a few years in Catalonia during his childhood when he played for Barcelona and later Sabadell. Whether he considers a move to Barcelona to replace Xavi will be interesting to see.