Barcelona reportedly narrow down shortlist to replace Xavi Hernandez

However, the process appears to have hit a temporary pause, fueling speculation that Xavi may reconsider his decision to depart.

One positive development for Barcelona is that one of their prime targets is not engaged in discussions with Bayern Munich. 

This revelation comes amidst heightened interest in Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi, who is currently one of the most coveted coaches in European football.

De Zerbi's name has been linked with top clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool in recent months. According to Florian Plettenberg, a reliable source on transfer news, de Zerbi has opted not to engage in talks with Bayern at this time. 

Instead, he is focusing on steering Brighton through the remainder of the season, despite being aware of Bayern's interest.

However, Barcelona's pursuit of de Zerbi faces a potential obstacle, as he is reportedly their second-choice candidate after Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso. 

Should Alonso decline the offer, Bayern Munich are poised to intensify their efforts to secure de Zerbi's services.

The Bayern factor looms large in the backdrop of Barcelona's managerial search, with prominent figures like Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, and Thomas Tuchel having historical ties to the German giants. 

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