Xavi ‘very positive’ about possible Barcelona return

Xavi has revealed he was “looking forward to going home” and hopes to become manager of Barcelona if an agreement can be reached with his current club Al Sadd.

Xavi is Barca’s choice to replace the sacked Ronald Koeman but the Spaniard has two years left to run on his contract with the Qatari club, where he took over as coach in 2019.

“The two clubs are in talks and it needs to be resolved,” Xavi said on Wednesday. “I am looking forward to going home ... but it is a matter of respect. I have a contract and the two clubs have to agree.

“Going back to Barcelona would be spectacular and exciting. I am very excited to go home and even more to be Barcelona coach, which has a lot of responsibility, but I very am excited and motivated.”

Xavi said there was a “small release clause” in his Al Sadd contract, reportedly set at around $5.8 million. He appeared optimistic an agreement would be found.

“I am very positive, that’s how I am, I have been very clear about what I want,” said Xavi. “I think it is a matter of hours, maybe days. They know my position, hopefully it can be done.”

Barca sent vice-president Rafa Yuste and director of football Mateu Alemany to Doha for talks on Wednesday.

Al Sadd chief executive Turki Al-Ali wrote in a statement earlier on Wednesday: “We welcome the visit of the administrative delegation from Barcelona, and we appreciate and respect this.

“The club’s position is clear from the beginning – we are committed to keeping our coach Xavi with us and we cannot have him leave at this sensitive time of the season.”