Al Sadd: 'We want Xavi'

Al Sadd director of football Mohammed Al Ali has revealed that the Qatari club are desperate to sign Barcelona midfielder Xavi this summer.

The experienced Spaniard has been strongly linked with a move to the Qatar Stars League outfit as he prepares to leave La Liga at the end of the season.

A host of MLS clubs are believed to be interested in the 35-year-old, but it is thought that Xavi favours a move to Qatar.

"We hope to sign him," Al Ali told Marca. "We want Barca and the Spanish national side's style of play to penetrate right through the game in our country.

"I prefer the Spanish league to the English Premier League. There is something special about it and that is 'tiki-taka'.

"We really like Xavi's charisma and the way he controls the ball. He represents passing football and we want him to be an ambassador for Qatar's football."

Xavi has been with Barcelona since 1991.