Xavi has acknowledged that Barcelona were never able to compete with Manchester City in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Braut Haaland.
If reports are to be believed, the Premier League leaders will announce the signing of Haaland in the coming days, ending a saga which started as soon as the Norwegian signed for Dortmund at the start of 2020.
Haaland has been available for an affordable release clause, said to be somewhere in the region of £63m and £68m, but Xavi has revealed that the Catalan giants were realistically never a candidate to sign the 21-year-old.
Speaking to reporters, Xavi said: "It is very difficult because of the economic situation. I can't lie to you, that is the reality.
"I am not going to disrespect other clubs' sporting projects. We are not the only club with a good project. City have won a lot of titles and compete at the top level, but if what you say happens [and Barca don't sign Haaland], it would have been because of financial issues."
Despite their financial constraints, Barcelona are being tipped to sign Chelsea trio Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso during the upcoming transfer window.
Darren Plant
