Xavi 'ready to stay on at Barcelona' but club must agree on his two requests
Barcelona boss Xavi could make a shock U-turn on and stay on at the club after previously announcing he would be departing.
Back in January the 44-year-old said he would stepping down from the role following a 5-3 defeat to Villarreal at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys.
In his post-match press conference, the former Spain midfielder said: "I want to announce that on June 30 I will no longer continue as the coach at Barça. I think the situation needs to change course, and as a culer, I cannot allow the current situation.”
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Rumours swirled about who might take over from Xavi but since the announcement, Barca have embarked on an incredible 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
They are second in La Liga and have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals after an impressive 3-2 win away at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
And Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Xavi could yet stay on at the Blaugrana.
President Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are desperate for Xavi to remain but it's emerged that his decision hinges on two key demands.
For starters, he wants assurances that there won't be a high-profile departure from his squad - even with the club's well-documented financial problems.
In addition, Xavi is said to want "significant" new additions to strengthen his squad in the future.
The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Joshua Kimmich, and Bernardo Silva have all been touted as potential summer targets.
Laporta has made no secret of the fact he is trying to persuade Xavi to stay put and is hopeful of getting his wish.
Speaking to the same publication, he said: "I told him: we respect the fact that you're here until the end of the season. It's your decision.
"We're doing well, we're getting better and better. Look, since he's said it, he's won again and we're winking at each other as if to say something can happen here. It's going like this, it's going better [than before] and the objectives are achieved".
Josh Lawless