Barcelona manager Xavi has reportedly set his sights on signing Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, and has asked Joan Laporta to pursue his signature.

The 21-year-old has scored four goals and provided as many assists in 12 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League this season, and continues to be labelled as one of the top youngsters in Europe currently.

According to reports in Catalonia, Foden has been compared to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, who left Camp Nou three years ago but has not seemingly been replaced.

Barcelona have this week completed the signing of Ferran Torres from Man City, and it is suggested that the Spanish giants are hoping to use their good relations with the Citizens to secure a deal for Foden to follow in the footsteps of his former teammate.

Xavi, who played alongside and under Guardiola at Barca, is likely to be keen on the methods Guardiola has used to help develop Foden since bringing him into Man City's first team from the club's academy, and Xavi wants Laporta to give his best attempts to sign the youngster.

Foden made his senior debut in 2017 and has gone on to score 37 goals and provide 28 assists in 143 appearances for his boyhood club.