Barcelona manager Xavi warned reporters to stop asking him about the club’s transfer plans during a frustrated press conference on Sunday.
The Blaugrana find themselves in a battle to even finish second in La Liga this season, having fallen two points behind Catalan rivals Girona, although Barca have played one game fewer and can reclaim control of second with victory over Real Sociedad on Monday evening.
Questions about how finishing third would impact Barcelona‘s transfer plans dominated Xavi’s latest press conference, and the boss did his best to offer responses before eventually losing his cool.
“I understand that right now it’s being written that some [players] are transferable or non-transferable, but right now there are no transferables as long as La Liga continues,” Xavi began.
“I don’t think planning depends on [finishing second]. For us it is important to finish second. But the planning is not going to change. The relief is to win ourselves and the four games we have left.”
Asked whether he had made a decision on the future of Ansu Fati, who will return from his disappointing loan with Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, Xavi said: “Stop asking me about planning because I won’t say any names.”
Reports suggest Barcelona are close to wrapping up their first signing of the summer in the shape of Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez, a long-time target who will be available on a free transfer after his contract expires.
The club do have a number of ambitious dreams but officials have publicly insisted nothing will be formally planned until Barcelona have a better idea of their financial situation. Club vice-president Rafa Yuste pointed to the need to meet La Liga’s 1:1 formula – being at such a point of financial strength that they are permitted to spend €1 for every €1 raised – before talking about transfers.
Fati’s future will be a subject of real debate as he prepares to return to Camp Nou. The 21-year-old joined Brighton on loan last summer in the hope of rediscovering both his fitness and his form, but he has started just three times in the Premier League and has a total of four goals from 25 appearances in all competitions.
Talks will also need to be held over Vitor Roque, whose agent recently vowed to pursue a permanent move away from Barcelona this summer if they cannot guarantee him a significant improvement to his minutes next season.