Barcelona chiefs have reportedly met with club legend Xavi Hernandez to sound him about becoming their next boss.
According to Edu Pol, director Eric Abidal has travelled to Doha in Qatar to meet with Ousmane Dembele as he recovers from a thigh injury suffered in November.
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Xavi, 39, is the current manager of Qatari giants Al Sadd, having taken up the position last summer after four years there as a player.
It is reckoned he has been earmarked by Barcelona as a future boss, with Man City’s Raheem Sterling already named as one of his first targets.
That is despite Xavi failing to convince the Qataris of his managerial skills, with fans calling for his sack just two months ago.
However, current Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde looks to be in his final season at the Nou Camp after failing to convince players and staff he is the right man to lead the club forward, despite winning two La Liga titles.
Former Catalan favourite and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has already been tipped as a replacement for Valverde.
But it is believed Barcelona are looking to actively pursue Xavi should Valverde his relieved of his post next summer.
Abidal apparently met Xavi to talk about his future plans and a potential return to Barcelona.
However, the Spaniards will persist with Valverde for the time being.
And there’s every chance he could keep his job should he lead the club to Champions League glory this term.
Speaking after Thursday’s 3-2 Spanish Cup semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi insisted Valverde has the support of the whole Barcelona team.
“Yes, there’s complete confidence in the coach. It’s normal that a lot gets said when there’s a loss.”
Teammate Luis Suarez added: “Valverde’s future is with this club. He doesn’t carry any blame.”
Xavi made 767 appearances during his time at the Nou Camp, having come up through the club’s La Masia youth academy.
He went on to win eight La Liga titles, as well as four Champions League and three Copa del Reys.
Xavi was capped by Spain 133 times and won the 2010 World Cup as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
