Xavi Says He Rejected Barcelona Summer Exit Amid Manchester United Speculation

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has claimed he rejected a Camp Nou exit this summer because he didn't want to play for a side that could eventually rival Barcelona.

Recent reports in Spain claimed both Manchester United and Bayern Munich tried to secure his services during the last transfer window.

Louis Van Gaal was the manager who handed him his debut in Barcelona's first team - alongside Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes - and according to Mundo Deportivo the Dutch coach approached the Catalan earlier in the summer, with the intention of luring Xavi to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola also was said to be interested in Xavi following Javier Martinez's long term injury.

The Bayern manager also coached the Spanish tiki-taka maestro during his successful tenure in La Liga. However, Xavi reportedly rejected a reunion at Munich with his former manager, and the German giants opted instead to sign former Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso.

The Spaniard hasn't confirm whether United or Bayern approached him the summer, but during an interview with Canal + he eventually hints he rejected other proposals.

"If it was up to me, I would never leave Barcelona, but that decision will lie out of my hands" Xavi said.

"There's been many times where I could have left but I've never been able to. I told the club this summer that I didn't want to play for another club in Europe, I never want to play for someone else against Barça. I want to finish my career here."

However, the 34-year-old midfielder's future at the Catalan giants remains in doubt following the arrival of Luis Enrique as manager.

Xavi has recently fallen out of favour with both Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha nudging ahead of him in the manager's pecking order.

Some reports in Spain suggest that, next summer, Xavi will make the decision to leave Barcelona to end his career in a minor league – like the MLS or Qatar.

Meanwhile, Xavi has lavished praise on teammates Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

"For me, Messi is the best player that has ever lived. For me, nobody can even be compared to him. He is the best in the world, without a shadow of a doubt.

"Iniesta? I think he's the most talented Spanish player in our history. He epitomises everything good that Barça have done in recent times, his play is reflected in it constantly."