Xavi is the odds-on favourite to succeed Ronald Koeman at Barcelona, and the Spanish legend’s view on an Arsenal transfer target could scupper a potential move, claims a report.
Koeman was relieved of his duties on Thursday after overseeing a dismal start to the campaign. Barcelona sit ninth in La Liga and are facing an uphill struggle to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
Barcelona chiefs were understood to be receptive to Koeman’s plight. The club’s disastrous financial position has been well documented and left Koeman relying on free agent signings to offset a mass exodus in the summer.
Nonetheless, they deemed the poor start to the campaign too difficult to ignore and duly pulled the trigger.
