Barcelona set to open contract talks with Xavi

AFP

Ivan Corretja, Xavi's agent, has revealed that Barcelona are ready to open contract talks with the influential midfielder.

The Spain international's current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2014, and the Catalans are eager to hold on to the 32-year-old beyond the expiry date of his current deal.

"Barcelona have informed us of their intention to open talks over the extension and improvement of Xavi's current contract," Corretja stated to Esport3.

"They want Xavi to remain part of Barcelona's first team and this is the right moment to open negotiations. His contract expires in 2014, so waiting until the end of the season would be too late.

"We have always reached an agreement on previous occasions and have never had problems. The most important thing for Xavi is to know that the club still count on him. I don't expect any problems."

Xavi has made well over 600 appearances for Barca since making his official first team debut in August 1998. He also scored the important opener against Granada on Saturday to ensure they maintained their 100 per cent record in La Liga.