When Xavi Hernández became Barcelona manager two years ago, there was heavy speculation that he wanted to sign Álvaro Morata as his new striker. But a transfer never materialized, and Barça ended up making a high-profile move for Robert Lewandowski instead.
But we found out on Saturday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s La Liga match against Atlético Madrid that Xavi did indeed want to sign the player he will face at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.
The boss revealed he spoke personally to Morata, a strategy Xavi has used with every player the club has signed since he took over, and was full of praise for the Spanish international.