As Barcelona get set to take on Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday night, there will be a lot of eyes on a certain Martin Zubimendi when the two teams step out at Spotify Camp Nou.
The Real Sociedad midfielder has emerged as Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez’s top target to replace captain Sergio Busquets, who is set to leave this summer.
Zubimendi’s signing, though, has been made complicated by the fact that his contract consists of a €60 million release clause, which Barça are not in a position to meet at this moment.
Nevertheless, Xavi continues to see the Spaniard as a priority to reinforce the midfield pivot position. And heading into tomorrow’s game, Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil was asked about Barcelona and Xavi’s interest in his key player.
In response, he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo): “I can’t answer you because I don’t know, maybe I’ll ask him [Xavi] tomorrow and see what he says.”
When further asked if the rumours and the chatter around his future will affect Zubimendi’s performance tomorrow night at Spotify Camp Nou, the La Real manager replied:
“It won’t affect Martin, it hasn’t affected him so far and it won’t affect him tomorrow either, I’m sure.”
Xavi and the Barcelona sporting staff will certainly have their sights set on Zubimendi tomorrow as they continue to scour the market for an ideal replacement for Busquets.
Of late, the name of Bayern Munich mainstay Joshua Kimmich has also been doing the rounds, but signing the German international will also be difficult.
As such, Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina seems the most achievable target for the newly-crowned La Liga champions at the moment. The Moroccan’s contract expires next year which means he could be available for a reasonable price and is understood to be keen to make the jump to Catalonia.
