With the World Cup — and Barcelona’s la Liga offseason over — the Spanish powerhouse expects Xavi Hernandez to make his decision soon on whether he will leave, and if so, where he will end up. Reports keep percolating that New York — either New York City FC or the Red Bulls — could be a potential destination.
A Barcelona reporter, @Barcastuff tweeted “Barcelona midfielder Xavi (34) is close to joining American club New York City on a 3-year-deal. (sport)’’ Monday night.
And in the midst of Sunday’s World Cup final, Univision alluded to the star midfielder potentially joining the Red Bulls, roughly translated as “If Xavi comes to MLS with New York Red Bulls have to go and see it,’’ according to Google.
While sources have said New York City FC would be more likely, nothing was set in stone as of Monday night. The veteran hadn’t made any public declaration, with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu saying the star has earned the right to decide whether he’ll stay with the club or leave, and the time to do so.
“We’re awaiting news on the departure of Xavi Hernandez. He has the right to decide his own future when he wants,” Bartomeu told the media. “He has two more years remaining on his contract with the club, but if Xavi believes a change needs to be made, we’d be happy to help him. He’s earned the right to choose.
“He’s been in the first team for 16 or 17 years and has won many titles. He’s a player from our own youth system that’s won more titles than anyone. Xavi will decide what he wants to do. We’ll see what happens. There’s a month and a half and we’ll keep working.’’
Xavi received a sizeable offer to play in Qatar, and sources in MLS initially said they expected him to take it. But MLS is a viable option for the midfielder, who reportedly narrowed Seattle Sounders from his list of choices but could still end up in New York. But red or blue?
“Xavi Hernandez wants to think about his future this summer,’’ said a source in Spain familiar with Xavi’s situation at Barcelona, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss negotiations. “It’s possible any Qatar team could pay a lot of money, but NYC or maybe the New York Red Bull is a serious option.
“Xavi is studying two options: Qatar or USA. He would like to play in MLS, but if NYC don’t want to sign the player… If NYC don’t want to sign Xavi, New York Red Bulls is other way.’’
Xavi’s former Barcelona teammate Thierry Henry is the Red Bulls captain, in the final year of his contract and undecided about playing next season. He also has close relationships in the front office at Manchester City, the English Premier League team that bought 75 percent of New York City FC, partnering with the Yankees.
Both New York City FC boss Claudio Reyna and Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh have declined comment, and Xavi’s agent in Spain did not respond to multiple interview requests from The Post.
“I think the [New York FC is more likely],’’ said the source. “Xavi has got a [lot of] very close friends in Man City in Txiki Begiristain [director of football], Ferran Soriano [chief executive]. Begiristain and Xavi are very close friends, so I think that NYC is actually a possibility.’’
Still, the lure of staying in Barcelona or making copious sums of money in Qatar — an option suggested by former Spanish teammate Raul — would be strong. Raul, ironically, has been linked with a move to the NASL New York Cosmos.
“On the other hand, Raúl Gonzalez talked very well to Xavi about Qatar, and he thought he would earn a lot of money in this country,’’ the source added.