Barcelona have begun their quest to replace Xavi by laying groundwork ahead of a move for Inter’s Mateo Kovacic.
The 35-year-old Spanish midfielder has yet to decide on his future but has been increasingly linked with a move away from the Catalan giants and if he were to leave, Kovacic appears to be their number one target.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio met with his Barcelona counterpart Ariedo Braida on Thursday evening to begin informal discussions to lay down foundations ahead of more formal negotiations about the 21-year-old midfielder.
Kovacic, now in his third season with the Nerazzurri, initially struggled to impress upon joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 2013 but has since gone on to establish himself as one of the most promising young midfielders on the continent and has managed eight goals in 40 appearances this season.
