Xavi has Barcelona ‘get-out clause’ in new Al-Sadd deal with legend tipped to replace Setien and convince Messi to stay

XAVI has a Barcelona get-out clause in his new deal with Al-Sadd, according to reports.

The midfield maestro, 40, penned a new contract with the Qatari side over the weekend despite rumoured interest in replacing Quique Setien at his former club.

Xavi committed himself to Al-Sadd for another year with the deal covering him until the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

But according to Marca, a special clause has been inserted into the agreement allowing Xavi to leave and take over at Barcelona, should the opportunity arise.

Upon signing the extension, the Spaniard said: "I am happy to continue with Al-Sadd, and the team's goal will always be to compete for all titles."

Xavi took over at Al-Sadd last year after finishing his playing career with four seasons there.

In his first season he won the Qatari Super Cup and Qatar Cup.

The serial winner was tipped to replace Ernesto Valverde in January before Barca appointed Setien - but with the new manager already under pressure, it may not be long before another change is made.

So with his contract up in just 12 months, the chance to manage the club he joined aged 11 - and made 767 first-team appearances for - would surely be too good to resist for Xavi.

I am clear that I want to return to Barcelona, I am very excited.

Xavi

Speaking in March, he admitted he would be keen - although would want no toxicity in the dressing room, which could prove impossible at a club like Barcelona with seemingly so many political issues between players, coaches and the board.

The four-time Champions League winner told La Vanguardia: “I am clear that I want to return to Barcelona, I am very excited.

“Now that I have seen myself coaching I think I can bring things to the players.

"But I made it clear to them that I saw myself in a project that started from zero and in which the decision-making was mine. I have no problem: I don’t hide, I don’t take it back.

“I would like to work together with people in whom I have confidence, with whom there is loyalty and who are very valid people.

“There can’t be anyone toxic around the dressing room.”

Should Xavi take over at the Nou Camp, his first priority would be convincing his close pal Lionel Messi to stay.

The Argentine hero and club captain's future remains unclear following a number of tensions rising between him and the club.

Messi's contract is up at the end of next season and talks over an extension have reportedly broken down - although the Catalan giants are confident he will stay put.

Video footage from the 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo appeared to show him ignoring Setien's No2 Eder Sarabia.

SunSport weighed up five potential clubs Messi could in theory join should he make the dramatic decision to leave with Manchester City, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newell's Old Boys and Inter Miami possible destinations.

Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane has urged the six-time Ballon d'Or to stay put at the Nou Camp because he is keen to see the best players in the world competing in Spain's top flight.