Deco to meet Xavi’s agent today or tomorrow to finalise contract renewal – report

During the recently-concluded international break, there was a lot of chatter about Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez and his contract extension.

While there had been no official word from the club, reports suggested that an agreement was already in place over a one-year extension and that a confirmation could arrive sometime this week.

On Wednesday, during his presentation as the new sporting director of the club, Deco pretty much confirmed Xavi’s renewal, saying that the 43-year-old had earned it.

“He earned his renewal. He is a club man. He has to renew because he earned it. Don’t worry, when he renews, you will know. We are happy,” Deco said.

Renewal imminent

Now, Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Deco will meet Xavi’s agent, Fernando Solanas either today or tomorrow to finalise his contract extension.

Xavi took over the reins of the club at a difficult time, with the team not performing well under previous manager Ronald Koeman.

The former midfielder, whose current contract expires in 2024, has turned things around in his near-two years at the club, winning two trophies already.

A renewal had been in the works since the end of the last season, but the manager and the club decided to focus on transfers first, given the Financial Fair Play issues at hand.

With everything now in place, Deco and Xavi’s agent will meet imminently to finalise the agreement and confirm his contract extension.

A one-year extension instead of two

There had been some contradicting reports as far as Xavi’s new contract length was concerned.

Initially it had been suggested that Xavi would be signing a two-year extension that would keep him at the club until 2026, which is when Joan Laporta’s presidential term comes to an end.

However, it has since emerged that due to FFP concerns, Barcelona and Xavi have come to an agreement over just a one-year renewal until 2025, but with an increase in salary for him and his staff.