Xavi 'agrees to take over at Barcelona next summer'

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi has reportedly agreed to assume the managerial position from Ernesto Valverde in the summer.

Pressure is mounting on Valverde, now in his third season at Camp Nou, following the club's poor performances in the Champions League and a recent Supercopa defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Barca CEO Oscar Grau and sporting director Eric Abidal met with Xavi in Qatar, where he is manager of Al Sadd, on Friday to discuss the position.

According to the Evening Standard, the Spaniard does not want to assume the role mid-season but has agreed in principle to take over in the summer.

Barcelona chief Josep Maria Bartomeu is prepared to keep Valverde until the end of the season before handing the reins over to Xavi.

Ronald Koeman and Arsene Wenger are two names to have also been linked with the Barcelona job.