Xavi: Barca contract close
21 Nov 2008 - 08:45:05
Barcelona midfielder Xavi has paved the way for a resolution is his contract negotiations with the club after admitting he wants to end his career at the Camp Nou.
The 28-year-old Spain international has been locked in talks over a new deal since the summer, but has yet to put pen to paper with his boyhood club.
Xavi came through the ranks at the Catalan club and made his senior debut during the 1998-99 season.
The length of the midfielder's new contract is believed to be the stumbling point with Xavi hoping for a five-year deal, while the club are only willing to offer four.
But the fans' favourite has taken a major step towards finding a resolution after pledging his future to the club and ending any rumours of a possible move away to Manchester United or AC Milan.
"I'm fortunate to be a player who has an emotional attachment to this team," he said.
"I've been a Barca fan all my live. I've always said that and never hidden it.
"It's clear that my dream would be to end my career at the club of my life, which is Barca.
"An agreement is very close, things are going very well.
"They want me to stay and I want to stay. I think that it's only a question of days before an agreement is reached."