Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that he 'speaks often' with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, as the speculation surrounding a possible return to the club continues.
The Catalan outfit will appoint a new boss this summer, with current head coach Xavi standing down from the role, claiming that the club "needs a change of dynamic".
A recent report claimed that Laporta is preparing to 'pull out all of the stops' in a bid to convince Guardiola, who has a contract with Man City until the summer of 2025, to make the return to Barcelona.
Guardiola took charge of the Catalan side's first team in 2008, and he delivered three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and two Champions League trophies before leaving in 2012.
The 53-year-old then returned to football with Bayern Munich in 2013, spending three years with the German outfit before arriving in Manchester, and he has lifted five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
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Laporta has admitted that he is expecting Guardiola to spend at least one more campaign at Man City, but the Barcelona president has opened the door on a return to Camp Nou at some stage.
"He has a contract with Manchester City (2025) and he respects contracts. I speak often with him and I know what the club thinks about him," he said in an interview with RAC1.
Laporta also said that he was 'surprised' to hear of Xavi's decision to stand down, with the club's legendary former midfielder revealing his plans after last weekend's 5-3 home loss to Villarreal.
"I heard the news after the Villarreal game. It was surprising because we hadn't planned for it. Xavi is an honest person, at first I thought it was because of the defeat, but I saw that he had thought about it, reflected on it, and believed it was the best thing to free the team and himself," he added.
"I thought that this was the best thing for the club. When he tells you something like that with a lot of conviction. I replied that if we had to fight for his continuity, we would do it. I told him that I accept this formula only because it's you.
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"Because of your Barcelonaism and professionalism. You took the team in difficult times. Last year he won a very difficult league and the Spanish Super Cup.
"I want Xavi to continue until the end of the season. If he continues until the end, it's up to him. I'm not going to sack him no matter what. He doesn't deserve it. He deserves that we trust him.
"We are not throwing in the towel in the league, in the Champions League we face Napoli, but Xavi is very motivated. I have no doubts about Xavi and the motivation and commitment of players.
"Xavi is honest and if the formula doesn't work, he would say so. We accepted this formula only because it was Xavi. Otherwise, we would have sacked him."
Barcelona beat Osasuna 1-0 in La Liga on Wednesday evening, with the result leaving them fourth in the La Liga table ahead of Saturday's trip to Alaves.
Matt Law
