Barcelona head coach Xavi has cooled talk of the club making signings this month, adding that their situation is “difficult” because of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
Xavi has this week seen Memphis Depay leave his squad and move to Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona yet to make any signings three weeks into the January transfer window.
“If we can strengthen, all the better,” Xavi said on Saturday. “But we depend solely and exclusively on fair play. At the moment, things are difficult.”
On Memphis’ exit, Xavi added: “Memphis asked me to leave. He had the proposal from Atletico, we spoke and he asked me to leave. He needs to play and feel more important. We have all won because the club has earned money.”
As part of the deal taking Memphis to the Spanish capital, Barcelona have an option to buy on Atletico winger Yannick Carrasco.
“We will see if we are interested in exercising it in the summer,” Xavi said. “We will see where we are then and how the season has gone”.
And when asked whether he was keen to see new arrivals at Barcelona this month, Xavi replied: “I haven’t asked for any signings. I said it was fine the way it was.
“Memphis asked to leave and the transfer to Atletico was the best thing for all parties. I’m delighted with the squad I have — if we don’t make any transfers, we’ll pull from the reserve team or the youth academy. I’m very happy, to be honest”.
After their Supercopa de Espana victory over Real Madrid last weekend and their Copa del Rey win against AD Ceuta on Thursday, Barcelona return to La Liga action on Sunday as they host Getafe.
Xavi’s side are top of the table and three points ahead of Real, who travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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