Xavi Reveals Arsenal Star He Wanted Barcelona to Sign

Former Xavi Hernández has disclosed that he previously urged FC Barcelona executives to pursue the signing of Martín Zubimendi when the midfielder was still performing for Real Sociedad.

The ex-Barça manager explained that he strongly recommended bringing the Spanish international to Camp Nou after the departure of long-time midfield anchor Sergio Busquets. In Xavi’s view, Zubimendi possessed the tactical intelligence and positional discipline required to stabilize Barcelona’s midfield during a transitional period.

However, despite the coach’s insistence, the Catalan club’s leadership declined the proposal. Financial limitations reportedly influenced the decision, forcing the club to explore alternative and more affordable options rather than committing to the Real Sociedad midfielder.

During an interview with the Spanish outlet La Vanguardia, Xavi reflected on the situation and admitted that the club hierarchy ultimately rejected his recommendation.

According to the former Barcelona boss, the decision was largely based on economic considerations rather than technical suitability. The club, dealing with financial pressure at the time, opted for a less expensive signing instead of investing heavily in Zubimendi.

Xavi emphasized that the loss of Sergio Busquets created a significant void in the team’s midfield structure. Because of that, he believed recruiting a player with similar positional awareness and passing control was essential for maintaining balance in Barcelona’s playing style.

He explained that Zubimendi’s profile matched exactly what the squad required after Busquets’ exit. The midfielder had already demonstrated remarkable composure, ball distribution, and tactical awareness in La Liga while representing Real Sociedad.

Despite Xavi’s recommendation, negotiations never materialized due to the club’s financial strategy at the time.

Eventually, Zubimendi moved away from Real Sociedad and later completed a transfer to Arsenal FC. Since arriving in North London, the Spanish midfielder has established himself as an important figure in the squad managed by Mikel Arteta.

Under Arteta’s tactical system, Zubimendi has contributed significantly with his ability to dictate tempo, shield the defense, and link play between midfield and attack. His consistent performances have reinforced the belief among many observers that he possesses the qualities required to succeed at the highest level of European football.

Looking back, Xavi’s comments highlight what might have been a crucial addition to Barcelona’s midfield rebuild. The situation also illustrates how financial decisions can influence transfer strategies even when a manager identifies a player as an ideal fit for the team.

While Barcelona moved forward with other options, Zubimendi’s rise at Arsenal continues to underline the potential Xavi once saw in him during his time at Real Sociedad