Barcelona Legend Xavi Close to New York City Move

Barcelona veteran Xavi Hernandez is likely to sign for New York City of Major League Soccer for the next season, according to Catalan reports.

The 34-year-old still has two more years on his contract at the Camp Nou, but after a dramatic loss of form last season, Barcelona are reportedly likely to part ways with him.

Indeed, Barca manager Luis Enrique suggested earlier during his unveiling as the new Catalan boss that Xavi will be part of the expected summer clear-out at the Camp Nou.

The midfielder was set to move to Qatar and it was reported that the star signed a pre-contract with Al-Arabi SC worth €8m (£6.4m) per six months. Nevertheless, last-minute complications with Al-Arabi have halted the negotiations and his future is again up in the air.

Now, according to Catalan radio station Catalunya Radio, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Xavi would be close to signing for New York City. The Major League side have been monitoring the player's situation for a while as they are keen on bringing him to New York – they want to build a team that has mix of youth and experience.

If so, Xavi would join his friend David Villa, former Chelsea player Frank Lampard – and also he would have close his old friend Thierry Henry, who plays for Red Bull.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal recently approached legend Xavi Hernandez regarding a summer move to Old Trafford, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Even though Xavi looks past his best, the report claimed that the Dutch manager has no doubt that he still can play at the highest level in the Premier League. Van Gaal knows Xavi really well as he was the manager who gave him, Victor Valdes and Andres Iniesta their debuts in Barcelona's first team.

However, it was reported that the player himself rejected a move to Old Trafford because after 16 seasons at the Camp Nou he is both mentally and physically tired and would like to end his career in a minor league.

Xavi played in Barcelona for 16 years and helped his childhood team to grab 22 championships.