Upon his departure as the coach of Barcelona, sources have revealed that Xavi Hernández had ambitious plans for a major overhaul of the squad. His main targets for the summer transfer window included Robert Lewandowski, João Félix, João Cancelo, and Vitor Roque. These plans were part of Xavi’s strategy to refresh the team, especially in the attacking department.
One of the most surprising decisions in Xavi’s plan was to part ways with top goal scorer Robert Lewandowski. Despite Lewandowski’s impressive record of scoring 59 goals in 95 appearances since joining Barcelona from Bayern Munich in 2022, Xavi was keen on moving him on. Additionally, Xavi sought to bid farewell to loanees João Félix and João Cancelo, as well as January signing Vitor Roque. This decision would have marked a significant change in the squad dynamics.
The influence of agents played a crucial role in Xavi’s plans for the squad overhaul. With agents like Pini Zahavi and Jorge Mendes having significant sway at Barcelona, decisions regarding player transfers were greatly impacted. Players like Félix and Cancelo, who are represented by Mendes, were set to return to their parent clubs, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively. Despite the potential for their return, sources have indicated that Xavi was not interested in re-signing either player.
Vitor Roque, the young Brazilian striker who joined Barcelona from Athletico Paranaense for a substantial fee, has struggled to make an impact under Xavi’s management. Despite scoring twice in 16 appearances, Roque has found game time hard to come by. Xavi had expressed his initial intention for Roque to continue his development in Brazil before joining the squad in the summer. However, the player’s agent, Andre Cury, has stated that Roque is not willing to leave on loan and would only consider a permanent transfer if necessary.
Overall, Xavi Hernández’s vision for a squad overhaul at Barcelona was bold and potentially disruptive. The decision to part ways with key players like Lewandowski, Félix, Cancelo, and Roque would have signified a new era for the Catalan club. Despite his dismissal as coach, the influence of powerful agents like Pini Zahavi and Jorge Mendes continues to shape the transfer decisions at Barcelona. The future of the club’s squad remains uncertain as new leadership takes charge.