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Xavi Has Given A Barcelona Player One Month To Impress Him Or He’s Out

Xavi Has Given A Barcelona Player One Month To Impress Him Or He’s Out

The Barcelona legend is taking a hard-line stance.

James Hilsum

James Hilsum

Xavi is showing his ruthless side as Barcelona boss and is giving Phillipe Coutinho just a month to impress him, otherwise the Brazilian will be shown the exit door at the Camp Nou.


Spanish outlet SPORT claims that the 29-year-old has the highest salary at the club, but is struggling to stake his place in the side this season.

He has scored just two goals in 13 appearances across all competitions this season, and only been included in the starting line-up four times.

The same report suggests that Coutinho has been offered to both Manchester City and Manchester United, with Barca reportedly interested in bringing one of Ferran Torres, Raheem Sterling, Anthony Martial or Edinson Cavani to Catalonia.

It appears that the former Liverpool man's days at the club are numbered, and it seems unlikely that he'll get the chance to change Xavi's mind before the January transfer window opens.

PA: Phillipe Coutinho celebrates scoring against Villarreal.
PA: Phillipe Coutinho celebrates scoring against Villarreal.

Coutinho did make an impact in his last outing in a Barca shirt though, after coming off the bench to score from the penalty spot in a 3-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday.

But he remains a Barcelona player for now, and will turn his attention to a home match against Real Betis this Saturday.

The Catalan club have seen their form improve in recent weeks, and are currently unbeaten in each of their last six games across La Liga and the Champions League.

They are still some way off the pace in the title race though, and currently sit seventh in the table with 23 points from 14 games - ten adrift of league leaders Real Madrid.

Their hopes of progressing through to the Champions League knockout stages remain in the balance too, as a frustrating goalless draw against Benfica leaves them needing a win away at Bayern Munich to guarantee a place in the last-16.

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Topics: Xavi, Barcelona, La Liga