Former Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez has revealed that he asked the Blaugrana to sign Arsenal midfielder Martín Zubimendi during the player’s time at Real Sociedad.
According to Xavi, the Barcelona management, however, refused to bring the Spain international to Camp Nou.
Zubimendi was playing for Real Sociedad when Xavi informed the Barcelona board to bring him to the Spanish LaLiga giants because Sergio Busquets had left the Catalan club.
Speaking to La Vanguardia, Xavi said, “I asked Barcelona management to sign Martin Zubimendi, but they told me no.
“It was a financial decision; they signed a cheaper option. But we lost Busquets, and I said, But how’s it possible [we can’t get Zubimendi]?”
Zubimendi ended up joining Arsenal from Real Sociedad last year and has been a key player under manager Mikel Arteta.