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Barcelona recently parted ways with Ronald Koeman, following the club's woeful start to the season. According to multiple sources, the Blaugrana are now looking to appoint club legend Xavi as their next manager. The current Al-Sadd boss has reportedly agreed on the move, and it's only a matter of time before it is announced officially
Like everyone else, Xavi is quite aware of the turmoil Barcelona are in at the moment. The former player will be keen to make an instant impact on the team to steady the Blaugrana's sinking ship. Like other managers, it's likely he'll also make some changes to the squad.
Fortunately, the transfer window reopens in January, where Xavi would look to add a few players to the Barcelona ranks. On that note, here's a look at five players the Spaniard could lure to Camp Nou in the winter transfer window:
#5 Jules Kounde
Barcelona's defence has been nothing to write home about in the last few seasons. Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are already past their primes, while the likes of Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti have had poor luck with injuries.
It is obvious that reinforcing the backline would be among the first few things Xavi will embark on when he takes charge of the club. One player who could improve the Blaugrana's options in defence is Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
The Frenchman was linked with a swoop to the Camp Nou during the summer, and continues to be a target for the club. Kounde would be a good fit in Xavi's system, due to his technical abilities. The 22-year-old has been one of the finest defenders in La Liga over the past few seasons, producing rock-solid displays.
#4 Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani was linked with a Barcelona switch during the summer. With injuries to several offensive players, the Blaugrana tried to sign the striker on loan, but the move didn't materialise before the window shut.
Cavani will likely hop on the opportunity to leave Manchester United for any other top club right now. The Uruguayan has lost his place in the starting lineup following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. While he won't be a viable option for the long term, the striker would provide a short-term solution to Barcelona's attacking woes.
#3 Antonio Rudiger
It is becoming increasingly likely that Antonio Rudiger's spell with Chelsea may come to an end very soon. The defender's current contract with the Blues expires at the end of the season. There's a huge probability he won't sign another deal with the Premier League giants.
According to reports, many teams have entered the race to snap up the Chelsea star, and Barcelona are one of them. The defender ranks among the finest centre-backs in Europe right now, and would surely improve the Blaugrana's backline.
Rudiger currently has a market value of just €35 million, as per Transfermarkt. Considering that he has less than a year on his contract with the Champions League holders, the Blues could be willing to sell him at a lower price in January.
#2 Dani Olmo
Dani Olmo's transfer to Barcelona seems to be just a matter of time. The Blaugrana tried to prise the Spaniard away during the summer, but couldn't do so. According to reports, they'll try again in January.
Olmo is a player who would suit Xavi's system quite well, owing to his vast technical abilities. The attacking midfielder is a product of Barcelona's youth system, and has adequate knowledge of the club's core principles and playing style.
The RB Leipzig star is also very versatile. Olmo is capable of operating in any position across midfield and attack. That would provide Xavi with more options to try out and implement new ideas at Barcelona.
#1 Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is a player Xavi himself has endorsed on multiple occasions. He said that the Manchester City attacker is among the players who could replace Lionel Messi at the top of the game, during an interview in 2019. He said:
“I look at the moment – and Sterling is winning that race. He’s always been a good player, a dangerous player, but under Pep he's become one of the best in the world."
"I know how Pep works – he would have worked closely with him since his arrival – where he needs to improve and what he needs to work on. We’re now seeing the results of that – he’s still young and can be the world’s best.”
According to reports, Raheem Sterling is open to joining Barcelona when the transfer window reopens in January. The Englishman recently went public on his desire to leave the Etihad Stadium. It remains to be seen if he ends up at Camp Nou in January, though.
