Barcelona’s Xavi on the shortlist of Italian giants for next season – report

Heading into the final few games of the season, only the Bundesliga has been wrapped up, with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen lifting their first Meisterschaller in history with four games to spare.

Real Madrid and PSG are both 11 points clear in La Liga and Ligue 1, and could wrap up their trophies in the next three games. And while the Premier League seems stuck in a three-way battle, the race for Serie A could be over as early as tonight.

AC Milan meet league leaders Inter Milan today for gameweek 33. With Simeone Inzaghi’s side 14 points clear on top, a win today would mean they return to win the Scudetto after two years.

And according to Calcio Mercato, Inter’s league title win would probably mean the end of the road for Milan’s coach Stefano Pioli. Potential replacement? Barcelona’s very own.

Xavi on shortlist

While no decision has been made yet about Pioli’s future, especially with Milan still in second place and in the Champions League for next season, the Italian giants are preparing a shortlist of names to replace him.

Lille’s Paulo Fonseca and former Europa League winner Julen Lopetegui are candidates being assessed, but Milan are also considering a move for Xavi, who is set to leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

Xavi’s future in doubt. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

The report states that Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is currently serving as the senior advisor of Milan, will be fundamental if they want to pursue Xavi. He played with Xavi during the 2009/10 season, and could potentially use his contact to convince him.

Xavi could continue at Barça

While Xavi has stated time and again that he has no intention to continue at the club, recent reports have suggested that the coach wants to hold a meeting with the club to discuss his future.

He is ready to stay should the club be ready to reinforce the team during the summer transfer window.

However, with Barcelona struggling with their finances, it seems nearly impossible that they will be able to buy players without at least offloading a big name or two.