Tottenham Hotspur have made free-agent manager Xavi Hernandez their top target to replace Thomas Frank, according to reports in Spain.
The Dane proved to be the wrong replacement for Ange Postecoglou after he was sacked following the club's Europa League success, with Spurs currently only one place better off in the Premier League table than where they finished last term.
The north London club are in desperate need of a boost as they are involved in a relegation battle with 12 matches of the season left to play, with their next encounter against leaders and arch-rivals Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22.
While Spurs are five points above London rivals West Ham United in the bottom three, they have won only two of their previous 17 top flight games with the last of those coming against Sunderland on December 28.
Tottenham Preparing Big Offer for Xavi
According to Fichajes, Xavi has become the name that most appeals to the Tottenham hierarchy as they begin the process to appoint Frank's successor, despite reported talks with Roberto De Zerbi.
Senior Tottenham figures believe that the Spaniard is a leader who can transform the team's footballing identity, and is a long-term project rather than simply an emergency solution to their current issues.
While Spurs know that convincing the 46-year-old to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be difficult considering he has rejected many offers since leaving Barcelona in 2024, they are ready to make a big financial offer and give him the significant sporting flexibility that he is craving in his next role.
Xavi would also be tempted by working in the Premier League if the proposal was right, as previously revealed by GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano, given its demands as the most high-profile European division.
Xavi Appointment Would be Calculated Risk
The problem for Tottenham if they do appoint a manager with no Premier League experience who needs time to build his project, is that they don't have time.
Spurs have a dozen matches to pick up the points they need to ensure they avoid dropping into the Championship, and they need immediate results.
While it can't be denied that Xavi, who has won a La Liga title, should boost the squad and the whole club because of his huge profile, that would need to translate to results on the pitch as well, starting against Arsenal.
There is no room for error for the Tottenham board after the failed appointment of Frank, and perhaps Xavi is a name they should be looking at as a serious candidate in the summer instead, if they still need a permanent manager by then.