Talks with Qatari club Al-Sadd on bringing Xavi back to Barcelona as coach have reached the “final stages”, a source close to the negotiations told AFP on Thursday. Barcelona’s vice-president Rafa Yuste and director of football Mateu Alemany have been in the Qatari capital since Wednesday seeking to secure Xavi as a replacement for the sacked Ronald Koeman. Xavi, who won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues as a player with Barca, said on Wednesday he was “looking forward to going home” after coaching the Qatari club for three years.
