- Coach planning on stepping down this summer
- Recruitment may lead to a change of heart
- Lewandowski replacement required at Camp Nou
Getty/GOALErling Haaland to Barcelona?! La Liga giants plot transfer raid on Man City in elaborate bid to prevent Xavi from stepping down as manager

Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

DirecTV
✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.
✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.
✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.

ESPN+
✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.
✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.
✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.

Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

DirecTV
✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.
✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.
✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.

ESPN+
✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.
✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.
✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.

Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.
Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Back in January, Blaugrana legend Xavi stated his intention to step down as manager at Camp Nou when the 2023-24 campaign comes to a close. Barca have since reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and closed the gap on Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the Liga title race, leading to suggestions that Xavi could be talked into staying put.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Barca believe that ambition in the recruitment market will help them to convince their current head coach that more success can be savoured, with Mundo Deportivo claiming that prolific Norwegian striker Haaland will be targeted in the summer of 2025.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
Haaland has previously been linked with a move to Madrid, which would see him become another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu, but Barcelona are confident that they can compete for the most sought-after of signatures. Haaland is currently tied to a contract at City through to 2027, but those terms are said to include exit clauses.
WHAT NEXT?
Barca are keen to have contingency plans in place for when Robert Lewandowski departs, with the Polish frontman set to turn 36 in August. Haaland would be a suitable long-term replacement and the kind of addition that would help to keep Xavi in the most demanding of coaching roles.
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