Barcelona president reveals plans to make Xavi remain at the club despite departure announcement

Xavi Hernandez and Joan Laporta | Imago

Barcelona president reveals plans to make Xavi remain at the club despite departure announcement

Kolawole Babatunde 13:56 - 16.04.2024

Barcelona's managerial saga continues as Joan Laporta, the club's president, maintains hope that Xavi Hernandez could reconsider his decision to leave at the end of the season.

Despite Xavi's recent reaffirmation of his departure plans, Laporta insists that discussions regarding the Spaniard's future will remain open until the season's conclusion.

Laporta's optimistic about a u-turn from Xavi

Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists the club will not force Xavi out

In a press conference preceding Barcelona's clash against Cadiz, Xavi reiterated his stance, declaring, "I will not change my mind." 

However, Laporta remains undeterred, expressing his willingness to revisit the matter at the season's end. While acknowledging Xavi's clear statement, Laporta emphasizes that circumstances may evolve, leaving room for reconsideration.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo: "We will discuss this issue at the end of the season. He [Xavi] is doing very well. He expressed himself in the sense in which he expressed himself, I understand that everything is open and everything is revisable. I understood that there have been circumstances that led him to do what he did. But at the end of the season, we will talk. There is time to talk about it."

Deco contradicts Laporta

Barcelona's sporting director Deco, however, presented a contradictory stance, stating that there are currently no plans to persuade Xavi to alter his decision. "At the moment there is no plan for Xavi to change his mind; if there is, we will talk," Deco said.

"The peace of mind comes from the results. The team is winning. We have already talked a lot about Xavi. It has been a personal issue. We don't have much to talk about. We have to think about the games."

Despite Deco's remarks, Laporta remains optimistic, citing the team's recent form and the potential for discussions regarding Xavi's future.

As speculation swirls around Xavi's impending departure, Barcelona's focus remains on finishing the season strongly. With a crucial Clasico against Real Madrid looming and a Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain awaiting resolution, Barcelona's players are determined to maintain their momentum and challenge for silverware.

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