Brazil right back Daniel Alves has rubbished suggestions that Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez could leave the Catalan giants this summer, after reports emerged in the Spanish press about a pre-contract agreement having been signed by the playmaker with Al Arabi in Qatar.
The one club man, 34, who has made over 700 appearances for Braca, is thought to be part of a mass clearout at the Camp Nou, a slate cleaning that would also see the departure of Alves, with French champions PSG at the front of the queue to sign him.
However, Alves told as.com: “Not Xavi. If Xavi, who is the emblem of the club, can leave, then anyone can leave now.”
“I don’t understand it. You have me in shock. It can’t be. Xavi cannot leave Barcelona.”
It remains to be seen what will happen to the pair after the conclusion of the World Cup on July 13, with new Barcelona manager Luis Enrique promising swift changes to the club after a season in which they failed to deliver any major silverware.
