Xavi plays down Qatar link

Barcelona midfielder Xavi insists his trip to Qatar over the weekend was "nothing more" than a visit.

The veteran playmaker, 35, has been heavily linked with a move to Qatari side Al Sadd SC, with several reports last week claiming that the deal has already been done.

The Spaniard still has a further year left on his Barcelona contract and the Catalan club have not yet confirmed his mooted future departure from the Camp Nou.

Al Sadds first-team manager Abdullah Al-Berik even posted a picture of the Spain legend on his Instagram account, accompanied by a message claiming the player had signed for his club, over the weekend but nothing has been made official yet.

Xavi returned to Barcelona on Monday afternoon and was asked about his trip by reporters at the citys El Prat airport.

"It was just a visit, nothing more, just a visit," he is quoted as saying in Spanish newspaper AS. "When I've some news, I'll let you know."