Barcelona have made contact for Jürgen Klopp to replace Xavi at the Camp Nou at the end of the season as the pressure continues to pile on him, reports in Spain have suggested.
Klopp still has three years left on his contract with Liverpool but, according to Catalan outlet El Nacional, the German ‘considers his time in the Premier League to be ending’ and would find the possibility of ‘returning Barcelona to the elite’ as ‘very attractive’.
Xavi has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, with Barcelona sitting fourth in La Liga, seven points off the top, and having suffered humiliating back-to-back defeats to leaders Girona followed by Antwerp in the Champions League.
The Barca boss’ position is said to have become critical, with talk allegedly having already begun of his dismissal in case results continue to falter, and Klopp is believed to be a ‘favourite’ of president Joan Laporta.
Girona manager Michel and Las Palmas boss Javier Garcia Pimienta are also said to be on Barca’s wanted list, although ‘B’ team coach Rafa Marquez would likely take over until the end of the season if Xavi were to be fired.
Klopp’s transfer ‘revolution’ at Barca already revealed
Despite there being no formal approach yet, El Nacional appear to have uncovered Klopp’s plan if he did take over, with a call for ‘revolution’ in the dressing room being made by the Liverpool boss.
‘Stars who do not contribute anything’ such as Sergi Roberto, Oriol Romeu, Marcos Alonso, Raphinha and Ferran Torres could be let go, although Klopp would be keen on keeping Robert Lewandowski, having formed a strong relationship with him at Dortmund as well as Ilkay Gundogan.
Klopp would also ask for a defensive midfielder, with Joshua Kimmich as a favourite, although Bayern Munich’s large asking price would see Leicester’s Wilfried Ndidi targeted instead.
Wonderkid Lamine Yamal is seen as a player with the potential to become a ‘legend’ according to Klopp but he could bring Liverpool star Luis Diaz with him or make an approach for Savio of Girona if he did take over at the Camp Nou.
