Qatari club Al Sadd is set to announce the capture of FC Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez in next few days and Blaugrana coach Luis Enrique has already started looking for the successor of the passing maestro. Currently, Atletico Madrida s Koke is on top of Luis Enriquea s wish list.
Xavi Hernandez is no longer a regular starter for FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana signed Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla last summer and along with Busquets and Iniesta, he is the regular starter for FC Barcelona this season.
But, the FC Barcelona midfield has looked short of new ideas on some occasions this season and the signing of new midfielder is on the cards. Luis Enrique has promoted the likes of Rafael Alcantara and Sergi Roberto in new season but he is not fully convinced with them yet.
Koke is widely regarded as the most talented youngster of Spain, and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has build his team around the playmaker. FC Barcelona are long term admirers of Koke and they even tried to sign him in the summer of 2014. But, the management of Atletico Madrid succeeded in persuading him to prolong his stay in the Spanish capital.
Koke has just recently signed the contract extension with Atletico Madrid and his release clause is worth 60 million euros. The youngster has stated it on numerous occasions in the past that he is happy at Vicente Calderon. Atletico Madrid management is also vowed to keep their prized asset at the club for many years to come. But FC Barcelona authorities are confident of luring him away by offering him a lucrative contract and regular playing time.
However, the biggest obstacle which might come in the way of FC Barcelona in signing Koke is their transfer ban. The Blaugrana are currently banned from signing any new player but they believe that they can get their man in January 2016.
Meanwhile, reports coming from Spain have also confirmed the plans of Luis Enrique for Koke.
Catalan newspaper Sport has claimed in their report that Luis Enrique has reportedly informed FC Barcelona’s technical commission that he wants Koke to replace Xavi Hernandez next season. Xavi is expected to leave Camp Nou this summer, with a move to Qatar or the United States on the agenda.