XAVI is already envisioning a new look Barcelona team ahead of his arrival as boss.
The Barca legend, who currently manages Qatari side Al Sadd, reportedly wants Manchester United ace Paul Pogba and Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland when he takes the reins at the Nou Camp.
According to El Nacional, Xavi has made it clear to Barca president Joan Laporta before taking the job that he wants the pair of superstars to help him get the club back where it belongs.
The Barca legend, 41, is the favourite to replace Ronald Koeman, who was sacked after leading the Blaugrana to their worst start to a season since 1987-88.
But he is reportedly keen to ensure the club backs him in the transfer market.
A move for unsettled Pogba may not be that hard as the Frenchman is yet to agree a new contract with United.
The 28-year-old’s current deal ends in June meaning Barca could snap him up on a pre-contract in the New Year when the transfer market re-opens, ahead of a summer move.
However, snagging Haaland could prove to be abit more difficult as Barca will have to spend £64m to land the striker and they are broke.
Although negotiations with the pair could go quite smooth as Laporta has a good relationship with Mino Raiola who represents both Pogba and Haaland.
But the Barca supremo will have to swoop quickly on the stars soon as it has been reported that the club’s fierce rivals Real Madrid are also keen on snapping up the duo.
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El Nacional also claim that Xavi has Red Bull Leipzig star Dani Olmo and Sevilla ace Jules Kounde on his list of potential recruits.
Winger Olmo is said to be keen on a return to his boyhood club Barca, and could re-join the team on loan in January.
Sevilla defender and Chelsea target Kounde would cost the club a staggering £67million, El Nacional claim, as he’s still under contract until 2024.
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has also reportedly caught Xavi’s eye as he attempts to bring back the ‘tiki taka’ era that former teammate Pep Guardiola introduced to the team.
Xavi could be in luck as Sterling recently admitted he is open to a move abroad if he doesn’t get more game time at the Etihad.
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He said last month: “If there was the option to go somewhere else for more game time, I would be open to it.
“I’ve always thought maybe one day I’d love to play abroad — see how I would come up against that challenge.
“I actually should be learning a few different languages. I quite like the French accent and Spanish.”
