Xavi set for crunch meeting with Al Sadd to finalize Barcelona return - reports

Barcelona and Al Sadd are in the midst of negotiations for the release of Xavi to come home to the Camp Nou to become manager, according to all reports that is. Sport is reporting that there is a vital meeting in this process that will take place Thursday.

In the said meeting, Joan Laporta won’t be present as he’s not travelled to Qatar, so Xavi will apparently speak to owner Mohamad bin Khalifa al Thani “in Barca’s name”. Which I gotta say, is a pretty fascinating way of reporting this meeting since Xavi works for Al Sadd.

The next 48 hours are said to be key with both clubs keen to get everything wrapped up by Saturday at the latest.

There are still a few issues to sort out, not least Barca not wanting to pay Xavi’s release clause of €5 million. The Catalan giants are trying to find a way around it and could offer to play a friendly with Al Sadd instead.