Xavi on brink of Barcelona exit after being offered ?25 million tax-free deal in Qatar 
Xavi is set to quit Barcelona after being offered a stunning ?25 million tax-free deal by Qatari club Al-Arabi. The 34-year-old has told friends he is ready to leave Camp Nou this summer and move to the Middle East.
The player’s agent Ivan Corretja met with Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta last week to communicate his client’s desire to leave.
Having been an automatic starter for the club since making his debut in 1998, Xavi was not always included in the XI by former Barca boss Gerardo Martino last season.
Most notably, he was dropped for the final-day clash against Atletico Madrid when a victory would have handed Barca the league title.
Corretja has already agreed a deal with the Qatari government, which has close links with Barcelona, and is keen to promote the game in the region.
The identity of the club Xavi will play for has yet to be revealed but Goal understands it is Al-Arabi.
The Doha-based outfit have offered Xavi a four-year contract worth a basic ?6m-a-year net of tax. Al-Arabi coach Dan Petrescu already claimed earlier this week they were closing in on the Spain international’s signature.
Speaking to Digisport, Petrescu said: "It’s likely he will join us but he also has other offers.
“When you get the chance to sign someone like Xavi, you make the most of the opportunity.
“I’ve talked to him personally and he is an extraordinary man.
“If we miss out on him, we have other big names lined up. But Xavi is who I really want.”
The La Masia academy graduate has held talks with New York City FC, the Manchester City franchise that joins the MLS next year.
But the American club appear to have been trumped to Xavi's signature by the riches on offer in the Middle East.
The player will return to Barcelona next week following Spain’s shock early exit from the World Cup and announce his decision. His departure will continue a massive reshaping of the Barcelona squad this summer under new boss Luis Enrique.
Carlos Puyol has retired, Victor Valdes has bid farewell after 12 years and Cesc Fabregas has joined Chelsea for ?36m.
With the likes of Alex Song and Alexis Sanchez also set to leave, it represents the biggest turnover of the squad for many years.
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