Xavi refuses to comment on Barcelona speculation

Xavi has insisted that he is 'focused on his work with Al Sadd' amid suggestions that he has already agreed to become Barcelona's new head coach.

The 41-year-old has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Ronald Koeman as manager of the Catalan giants, and a deal is allegedly close to bring completed.

However, when questioned on the speculation, the former Spain international said that he was concentrating on Al Sadd and could not comment on the reports linking him with a return to the club that he left in 2015.

"I'm focused on my work with Al Sadd. I cannot talk about anything else," Xavi told reporters.

The former midfielder made 767 appearances for Barcelona between 1998 and 2015 before joining Al Sadd, where he played for four seasons before taking over as manager.

The La Liga giants will reportedly need to pay a fee in the region of £850,000 to release Xavi from his contract with Al Sadd, which is due to run until after the 2022 World Cup.