BREAKING :Barcelona Ready to sack Ernesto Valverde as replacement Ready to come in

Barcelona legend Xavi will be the next manager of the Catalan giants with the club primed to sack Ernesto Valverde, according to reports. The Spain international is set to return to the Nou Camp but the timing is yet to be decided.

Barcelona general director Oscar Grau and technical secretary Eric Abidal have both met with Xavi in recent days.

That’s something which was confirmed by the former midfielder himself, with the Al-Sadd manager saying: “I cannot say anything, they were here to talk to me and we discussed many things.

“Sorry I cannot give any more information.

“I cannot hide it's my dream to coach Barcelona, I've said it many times in many interviews, everyone knows I support Barcelona from the bottom of my heart.

“But I'm doing my job here, I'm doing my best.

And Goal say Barcelona have decided that Xavi WILL be their next manager, with Valverde primed for the axe.

When that happens, however, is something that is yet to be decided.

There will be no announcement until Xavi’s Al-Sadd side have played in the final of the Qatar Cup on January 17.

But the 39-year-old is keen to take the job right away.

However, he doesn’t want to force Valverde out due to respect for the 55-year-old.

Barcelona will discuss the manager’s meeting on Monday and a decision on his future could be made then.

Valverde has been under pressure for some time over in Catalonia, having entered the season with high expectations.

Barcelona thought about sacking him in the summer following their failure to win the Champions League or Copa del Rey.

Ultimately, Valverde stayed and he’s steered the club to the top of the La Liga table.

He’s also got them through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, where they’ll go up against Napoli in the round of 16.