Arsenal and Man United target Xavi quits Barcelona for ex-Chelsea star's Qatari minnows

Posted Wednesday, June 18, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

SPAIN and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has dealt a blow to Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester United after sealing a move to Qatari side Al Arabi.

ON THE MOVE: Xavi appears to have quit Barcelona for a quieter life in Qatar

The future of the Barcelona hero has been up in the air after new Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas suggested his former midfield pal would join Carlos Puyol is quitting the Nou Camp this summer.

And former Blues defender Dan Petrescu, who manages Qatar-based Al Arabi, insists his side have snapped up the 34-year-old, after he agreed a pre-contract agreement with the club.

He told Digisport: "Xavi has signed a pre-contract with Al-Arabi.

"It looks likely that he'll join but he does have offers from other clubs.

"I have spoken to him personally.

"The agent who brought me to Al-Arabi is in Brazil now but it's the World Cup and it's hard to get to him.

"But I've been speaking to Xavi on the phone and I asked him if he wanted to play with us and sacrifice for me.

"If you have a chance to sign Xavi, you do not muck around.

"I realised speaking to him that he is an extraordinary man."

Xavi is one of the most decorated players in the world game after a highly successful trophy haul with both Barca and Spain.