Barcelona coach Xavi was blocked from signing his A-list targets in the summer, it has been revealed.

While sporting director Deco agreed with Xavi's market choices, he had to inform the coach there was no money to spend on such names.

Reporter Sique Rodriguez stated on Cadena SER: "The club had agreed to sign Kimmich, Bernardo Silva and Zubimendi, but they could not buy them.

"It was Deco who told Xavi to forget about these names because it was impossible for Barça to compete to bring in people of this category."

In the end, the poor state of the club's finances led Xavi to opt for Oriol Romeu. The Girona midfielder started on the right foot, but Xavi soon dropped him.

Rodriguez added, "Oriol Romeu is Xavi's signing and he was dropped at the first opportunity."