BARCELONA.- The coach of BarcelonaXavi Hernández, assured this Saturday that he would like to continue counting on him for next season Joao Felix and Joao Canceloloaned this season by Atlético de Madrid and Manchester Cityrespectively.
“We are very satisfied with both of them, I think they have both adapted very well, they are performing at a very high level“Xavi said in the press conference prior to the League match against Girona Sunday.
“Let’s see what happens in the future, but of course we would like to have them beyond this season“added Xavi, when asked about some statements by the Barça president, Joan Laportaabout the ‘Joaos’.
The Barça president, visiting Dubaistated in an interview with the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, cited by Spanish media, that “the club could keep them for the coming seasons. We plan to start negotiations for them shortly.“.
“We have good relations with both Manchester City as with him Atlético de Madrid“said Laporta.
According to Spanish media, the Athletic would consider asking for around 70 million euros (75.3 million dollars) for Joao Felix.
“I would like to continue counting on Joao Felix. We are all clear about it. Then there is a negotiation that does not concern me, it is Deco (sports director), the president, who has to negotiate, but it is still early. As a coach, Yes, I would like to have Joao Félix“, he claimed.
Barcelona will not look for another goalkeeper:
The Barça coach also ruled out that they are going to sign a goalkeeper after Marc André Ter Stegen He will have surgery for his lumbar problems.
“We are not going to sign any goalkeeper. We have confidence in what we have, we have confidence in Iñaki (Peña). We trust that Marc will recover soon“said Xavi, who faces the co-leader of the League, along with Real Madrid.
“Surprisingly for many people he is co-leader, but for us it is not a surprise. “It is a dynamic team, with a great coach, that has a system similar to ours, that wants to have the ball, to be the protagonist,” he stated.
“Tomorrow will be a battle to have the ball and dominate the game“, concluded Xavi.
FOUNTAIN: AFP
