Crystal Palace are aspiring to hire Andoni Iraola this summer.
With Bournemouth currently on a remarkable 15-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and on track to reach the UEFA Europa League, many would deem the Spaniard to be a highly ambitious target for Steve Parish.
However, that has not stopped Crystal Palace from already making Iraola two offers – both of which he has turned down. It is – nonetheless – intriguing that the Eagles felt encouraged enough to make a second offer.
Perhaps the largest hurdle is interest from Chelsea after Liam Rosenior was sacked, but talkSPORT now state that the west Londoners have made an approach to hire Xavi.
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Chelsea in talks with Xavi
TalkSPORT acknowledge that Iraola is on the shortlist at Stamford Bridge, along with Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva.
However, sources close to Xavi tell talkSPORT that Chelsea have now opened talks, and the Spaniard is open to a move to England – having been out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024.
The fact Chelsea have moved to speak to the 46-year-old before Iraola, who has already announced he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, is potentially telling.
There was a risk of the Bournemouth boss taking over Athletic Bilbao, where he made 510 appearances in his playing days.
However, the Basque outfit have just announced Edin Terzic as their new manager.
There is also interest from Manchester United in Iraola.
However, the Telegraph say the idea of living in London appeals to the 43-year-old, which is apparently why Crystal Palace started to make a move for his signature in the first place.
So, if Chelsea – our biggest London rival for Iraola – end up hiring Xavi, it could well lead to the former Athletic Bilbao man choosing to replace Oliver Glasner.
The man born in Usurbil was seen acting quite chummy with several Crystal Palace players after Bournemouth’s 3-0 win on Sunday, including Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, so who knows what may happen this summer.
