New York City FC are set to announce a major player signing on Thursday, but the likelihood is that it won't be Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
News out of Spain is that the veteran midfielder will be showing up for Barcelona training on Thursday and plans to stay at the club at least until the winter transfer window in January 2015, or even until next summer.
The 34-year-old was reportedly entertaining offers from New York City FC in MLS as well as from a club in Qatar, but after a meeting with new Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and the team's president, he has decided to set those offers aside and continue to play out his contract, which runs through 2016.
Although there's no official word from the club about Xavi's status, his teammates are "over the moon" about it.
"Xavi embodies Barcelona through and through," Barcelona youngster Rafinha Alcantara told media on Wednesday. "It's great news that he's staying. I'm extremely lucky because I'm going to learn from the best. I'm over the moon."
Those remaining years on the player's contract complicated his rumored summer exit after nearly two decades at Barcelona, according to Spanish sports daily Marca which also claims that Xavi will now be examining a potential departure in January.
Xavi, who was a member of Spain's 2014 World Cup team in Brazil, turns 35 on January 25.
