Barcelona captain Xavi is close to agreeing a big-money move to join Qatari outfit Al Sadd after the club announced he was in the country to discuss a move.

Reports surfaced in Spain earlier this week that Xavi, who becomes a free agent at the end of next season, was mulling over a three-year contract offer worth £21million from Al Sadd who currently sit second in the Qatar Stars League.

It now looks like a deal for the 35-year-old is all but signed after the Qatari club issued a statement on their website saying a move is “under negotiation”.

It continued: “The FC Barcelona player is currently in Doha with his family to know more about the country he would live in if he were to decide to join the club. The club would make any further and official announcements only if further developments take place.”

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim the deal has already been agreed with club legend set to end his 24-year affiliation with Barcelona.

After making his debut in 1998, Xavi has gone on to win 22 major trophies with Barca, including three Champions League titles, while making a record 751 appearances.

However his playing time has been limited this season under Luis Enrique and Mundo Deportivo claims he has been given “total freedom” by Barcelona over where he decides to play next.

Xavi’s impending departure means his final game for Barcelona will be against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final at Camp Nou on May 30 or the Champions League final in Berlin a week later, should the club progress that far.

Barcelona are priced at 3.50 to end Xavi’s Nou Camp career on a high by winning the Champions League and can also be backed at 1.25 to win La Liga.