Barcelona boss Xavi has said that he 'needs' the club to move for two new central midfielders this summer.
Sergio Busquets will officially leave the Catalan giants on a free transfer at the end of this month, while there is currently widespread speculation surrounding the future of Franck Kessie.
Frenkie de Jong is set to stay at Camp Nou despite again being linked with an exit, but Barcelona are largely inexperienced in midfield, with Pedri and Gavi only 20 years old and 18 years old respectively.
Meanwhile, the likes of Pablo Torre and Aleix Garrido lack experience at senior level, and Xavi has detailed the importance of two new central midfielders moving to the club during the summer transfer window.
"I need two signings in midfield. I lack an interior and with Busquets' departure, we also need a pivot. This has to be the priority," he said during an interview with Movistar+.
Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat continues to be linked with a move to Camp Nou, while Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves are also thought to be targets.
There is still uncertainty when it comes to Barcelona's summer budget, though, with their financial problems expected to restrict them from making more than one or two big-money additions.
Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan is also said to be a leading midfield target for the club, with the German's contract at the Etihad Stadium due to expire at the end of the month.
Xavi also confirmed that he wants to bring in a new right-back, with Sergino Dest expected to be moved on permanently once he returns from a loan spell at AC Milan.
Sergi Roberto and Ronald Araujo have had spells at right-back this season, but it has been a position largely occupied by Jules Kounde, who was brought to the club as a centre-back.
"I didn't sign him to play as right-back, but it was an emergency. And he has also done it very well. But it's clear that we are missing a right-back," said the Barcelona boss when questioned on Kounde.
The Catalan giants have been eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League in each of the last two seasons, but Xavi said that the team 'can no longer play in the Europa League'.
"I already told the players that we can never play the Europa League again. I'm sorry, but Barcelona are not made to play the Europa League. It does not motivate the players nor the fanbase. We have to play the Champions League and we have to aspire to win it," he added.
Barcelona ended the 2022-23 campaign with two trophies, lifting the Spanish Super Cup in January before securing the La Liga title in the middle of May. body check tags ::
