Xavi to make sensational U-turn on Barcelona exit?

The Blaugrana are on the verge of ceding their La Liga crown to El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, who opened up an 11-point lead at the summit with a dramatic 3-2 triumph at the weekend.

A difficult run of form over the winter months scuppered Barca's dreams of back-to-back triumphs, and Xavi astonishingly announced his resignation after a 5-3 loss to Villarreal in January.

In the wake of Xavi's press conference bombshell, Barcelona went on a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions, leading to suggestions that the 44-year-old could be tempted to reverse his decision.

However, Xavi has always shot down the idea that he could stay, repeatedly insisting to the media that he will be leaving no matter what, and the Blaugrana have now lost their last two games to Real and Paris Saint-Germain.

The 4-1 defeat to the latter knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, but president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have affirmed that the door remains open for Xavi to have a change of heart.

The former Al-Sadd manager still has a contract with Barcelona until 2025, and according to Marca, he is now giving serious thought to staying on beyond the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

The report adds that the head coach has already taken the first step towards seeing out his contract by agreeing to meet with president Laporta, who alongside Deco will do his utmost to change Xavi's mind.

The pair will apparently try to twist Xavi's arm by making promises in the transfer market, assuring him that the club