Al-Sadd demand face-to-face meeting with Joan Laporta in Xavi talks
By Tom Gott
Al-Sadd have warned Barcelona president Joan Laporta that he must travel to Qatar for face-to-face talks with the club over a deal to sign manager Xavi.
Following the departure of Ronald Koeman last week, Laporta's sights have been solely set on Xavi, who remains under contract with Al-Sadd until the summer of 2023.
Al-Sadd haven't been best pleased with Barcelona's conduct and the media coverage of their pursuit of Xavi so far, voicing their frustrations once or twice on social media, and according to AS, they want an end to the circus and will only deal with Laporta directly.
Officials from the Qatari side have told Laporta that he must fly out to Doha to discuss a deal to free Xavi from his contract, with Al-Sadd promising 'friendly negotiations' as long as they don't have to speak to any intermediaries or anyone working on behalf of Laporta.
That isn't believed to be a problem for Laporta, just a minor inconvenience as a trip to Doha would take up a large chunk of his already busy schedule.
He is expected to jet off on Thursday for talks after Al-Sadd take on Al-Duhail in a real top-of-the-table affair. Xavi's men sit top of the table and would go six points clear of their rivals with a win.
During that meeting, Laporta will likely get a deal for Xavi formalised, with most of the details with Al-Sadd already sorted, but a personal meeting with the Barcelona chief has been requested to seal the deal.
It's suggested that Barcelona could avoid paying any compensation for Xavi and instead agree to a friendly against Al-Sadd in Qatar in the next two years.
The delay means Xavi is unlikely to be in charge at Barcelona for Saturday's meeting with Celta Vigo. The Spaniard could make his move during the upcoming international break and lead his former employers out when they face Espanyol at Camp Nou on November 20.