Barcelona head coach Xavi has called for the transfer window to close before the start of the LaLiga season amid uncertainty over several players in his squad.
Despite their delicate financial situation, the Catalans have moved to this window to sign Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.
Barca’s focus is now on offloading players to help balance the books, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong all being linked with moves away.
According to widespread reports on Saturday, Chelsea is engaged in talks with Barca over a deal for Aubameyang, who only arrived from Arsenal earlier this year.
De Jong continues to be touted as a target for Premier League sides. Meanwhile, Depay is reportedly closing in on a switch to Juventus.
However, Xavi confirmed at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game with Real Sociedad that he intends to continue selecting those players while they remain at the club.
“It’s not a comfortable situation,” Xavi said when asked about the final two weeks of the transfer window. “The market should be closed before the competition starts.
“I think it’s poorly organised. In the end, nobody can work in peace. You prepare for a match with a player, and he may leave, so it’s not an ideal scenario.”
When probed on rumours that Chelsea is closing in on a deal for Aubameyang, Xavi said:
“The market ends on August 31, and we don’t know what will happen.
“We’ll have to see. Right now, he’s our player, and I’m counting on him. For now, he’s an essential player for us, but let’s see what happens.
“At the moment, nobody mentioned has left. Tomorrow we can use Memphis and Aubameyang. We’ll assess what to do if an offer arrives for either of them.
“Right now, the priority is to sign up Jules [Kounde]. From there, we can decide if we need to make a move or not.”
Kounde is the only new signing yet to be registered by Barca, who have been forced to sell off non-playing assets and activate various ‘levers’ to meet LaLiga’s salary rules.
Providing an update on Kounde’s situation ahead of the trip to Anoeta, where Barcelona are unbeaten in their past six visits, Xavi said:
“We are waiting. We have time.
“Tomorrow, we will give the list, but everything is on standby right now.
“There is nothing new to tell you.
“I’ve spoken to Jules and given him my idea of the game.
“He is a very classy centre-back and has the experience, leadership and can win duels.
“He is an extraordinary footballer.”
Barca started their season with a goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano last week and will be looking to hit back against Sociedad.
The Catalan club’s 21 shots on matchday one were the most they have registered in the league without scoring since a stalemate with Malaga in November 2016 (29 shots).
Xavi said:
“The match against Rayo was a football disgrace.
“We deserved to win the game and played well, but we lacked effectiveness.
“Now we face Sociedad, a team that can do many good things. They have talent in midfield and fast attackers, while their defenders and goalkeeper are strong.”
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