Barcelona midfielder close to leaving club despite Xavi’s public statements
Barcelona had an overabundance of center midfielders before the 2022–23 season.
The two defensive midfield positions in the 4-3-3 were being disputed by Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Nico Gonzalez, Franck Kessie, and Miralem Pjanic, while Sergio Busquets’ position was generally unopposed.
However, in the preseason, Xavi chose to employ Pjanic as Busquets’ backup in that lone pivot position, and the Bosnian was quite effective. His continuance with the club depended on his ability to take on the Spaniard’s position in possession. or so we believed.
Pjanic is on the exit ramp, claims Gerard Romero. Today, his agents visited Barcelona’s offices to present and review offers they have already received. One of them is the enormous Saudi company Al-Nassr.
This is particularly shocking considering that Xavi officially announced his choice to allow Pjanic to stay during a press conference. According to reports, the seasoned midfielder was also willing to reduce his pay even further to aid the team.
“Pjanic has convinced me and he will stay with us,” he said ahead of the Rayo Vallecano game two weeks ago.
In reality, his belief in Pjanic was a driving force for Nico Gonzalez’s loan move to Valencia and his own departure.
Everyone expected Pjanic to start in defensive midfield after Busquets was sent off against Rayo, but Xavi chose to start de Jong and Pedri as a double pivot against Real Sociedad.
Five Barcelona players, including the Bosnian, have not yet played a single minute this year. And today’s reports have simply fueled the fire for his resignation further.