Xavi had decided which striker he wanted to replace Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty ImagesBarcelona coach Xavi Hernandez had reportedly already decided who he wanted to replace Robert Lewandowski before he left the club at the end of the season.

Lewandowski is one of several players that the coach had reportedly deemed surplus to requirements, a decision that seems to have contributed to his downfall.

Diario Sport are now reporting that Xavi had been keen to bring in Artem Dovbyk from Girona after seeing the Ukraine international impress in La Liga.

Dovbyk arrived for a club-record fee last August from Dnipro-1 and went on to challenge for the Pichichi - scoring 24 La Liga goals in 36 games for Michel’s side.

However, a move always seemed unlikely,…