Xavi wants Barcelona to sign a new midfielder, but aware that it is close to impossible

Xavi was desolate after Barcelona’s defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday night. His men, after all, did not just come out second best but were put in their place by a team far superior on the night.

The 43-year-old profusely apologised for the team’s shambolic display after the game and took the blame upon himself. Concurrently, however, he insisted that he retained faith in his project and ability to bring Barcelona back to the top.

The manager’s desire

As revealed by Ferran Correas of SPORT, Xavi wants the club to sign a new midfielder to cover for the injured stars. After all, Pedri’s recurring injuries and Gavi’s ACL ruputre leave him short-staffed in the middle of the park.

However, the manager also knows that a new signing is impossible as it stands. The club’s economic situation is too fragile to handle a new arrival and it is thus practical to plan the rest of the season with the existing squad.

If a reinforcement should arrive, the manager would prefer a player who can cover the defensive midfield but can also play higher up if needed. Signing such a player in the winter transfer market is difficult in itself, let alone for a budget price.

The investment that never arrived

Barcelona were due to receive €40 million during the summer from German investors Libero in exchange for a stake in Barça Vision. However, that amount never arrived even after giving the investors a grace period.

The Catalans have initiated legal action against the firm, but it is clear that no new signing can be made unless such a large amount comes into the coffers. Finding a new investor is an option, for the only other option to enable a new signing is a big sale.

It will be interesting to see how Xavi’s side reacts to the thrashing by Real Madrid in the coming weeks. After all, they do not have much to fall back on and will likely not be receiving any new signings this winter.