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Xavi cracks Cantona joke as Barcelona linked to 3 Man City stars

Eric Cantona, Xavi Hernandez
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The Blaugrana coach made a light-hearted quip about the Manchester United legend when asked about the club’s reported transfer activities.

FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed over the club’s latest movements.

Sporting director Mateu Alemany is in Manchester for a business trip, prompting a surge in transfer rumors.

A report from Diario Sport has claimed Alemany visited Manchester City’s offices on Friday to negotiate a deal for Raheem Sterling. The Catalan outlet added that signing Ferran Torres and Bernardo Silva was also discussed.

Given Barca’s financial problems, Alemany has his work cut out. City won’t allow Sterling to go to Camp Nou on loan unless the Catalan club signs the winger permanently in the summer. Deals for Torres and Silva, meanwhile, would require a hefty transfer fee, especially for the former.

What did Xavi have to say?

Quizzed on who Alemany is trying to sign from Manchester during a press conference on Friday, Xavi joked: “[Eric] Cantona.”

“The winter market will determine if we can sign players or not,” the Barca boss added.

“We will see what we can do. It’s too early to talk about bringing players in. Tomorrow we have a game and we play a lot next month, that is what is important.”

Barcelona visit Villarreal on Saturday for their next La Liga fixture. For match details and betting tips, check out the link here.

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