Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has given his approval to Barcelona Sporting Director Deco to sign Real Betis’ Guido Rodriguez. The 30-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, and has reached an agreement with the Catalan side.
The Argentine had been in talks with Betis for several months over a new deal, but after failing to reach a deal, Barcelona agreed a deal with Rodriguez, after his agent offered him to the club. Fabrizio Romano is now reporting that Xavi has given the green light to signing Rodriguez, who he had previously noted could be a useful signing for next season.
Rodriguez is expected to take the place of Oriol Romeu, who is predicted to leave Barcelona a year after signing. The World Cup-winner should provide Barcelona with more of a defensive presence in the middle of the pitch. With Xavi losing confidence in Romeu early on in the season, they have been without one for much of the season, resorting to Andreas Christensen in the middle of the pitch in the second half of the season.