Tanguy Ndombele may face an uncertain future at Tottenham Hotspur but an escape route could emerge ahead of the January transfer window in Barcelona under Xavi, as per Sport.
The La Liga giants are pressing ahead with plans to appoint Xavi as their next manager after firing Ronald Koeman. ESPN report the Blaugrana have sent a delegation to Doha to agree compensation with Al Sadd, with the aim of announcing his arrival by the end of the week.
Koeman had marked signing midfield reinforcements as a priority for the Camp Nou outfit after failing to land Georginio Wijnaldum. The Catalan hierarchy have maintained searching for potential targets despite Koeman’s exit, with Ndombele among their possible options.
Barcelona have a shortlist including Tottenham’s Ndombele, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria and Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara after ruling out AC Milan’s Franck Kessie. But Ndombele will possibly spark the most interest, having been a long-term target.
However, Barcelona will only open negotiations with Tottenham if Xavi signs off on a move to sign Ndombele. The Blaugrana can also only sign the Frenchman on loan until the end of the season due to their limited finances, which must include enough funds to buy a striker.
Spurs would rather sell Ndombele if the £200k-a-week technician does leave north London to recoup part of the £54m spent. Tottenham broke their transfer record to sign the 24-year-old from Lyon in 2019, beating Barcelona to a deal.
Ndombele facing uncertain future at Tottenham amid Barcelona interest
Barcelona could finally land Ndombele in the January transfer window, as the Frenchman faces an uncertain future at Tottenham. Sport add Spurs have started to negotiate a deal for Milan’s Kessie, which would open the door for Ndombele’s exit.
Reports by Gazzetta Dello Sport claim discussions are at an advanced stage as Fabio Paratici begins strengthening Antonio Conte’s ranks. Kessie is out of contract at the San Siro in June and can agree free transfers from January. But may also be north London bound in January.
Kessie’s arrival at Tottenham could push Ndombele closer to the exit door to Barcelona’s benefit if Xavi permits a deal. Allowing the La Liga giants to re-explore Paratici’s attempts to offload the 24-year-old, who Sport claimed Spurs offered to the Blaugrana this summer.
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