Xavi insists he would welcome the competition Cesc Fabregas would offer if joins Barcelona this summer.
Barca failed with two bids for the Arsenal captain last year and have reportedly had an initial offer turned down this summer too.
However, Arsenal have conceded that they are prepared to sell their skipper this summer, provided the price is right.
The European champions are expected to return with a new bid for their former youth team midfielder, 24, despite already having the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
Xavi believes signing a player such as Fabregas to their midfield ranks can only be a positive thing, though.
"Competition is always good and Cesc is an extraordinary footballer," he said.
"If he comes, it will be to help out."
However, Xavi hopes Fabregas does not face the same comparisons he faced himself when he broke through in the late 1990s.
"They put that label on me of being a replacement for Pep Guardiola and it wasn't fun at all," said the 31-year-old.
Barca have also kept faith in their home-grown players, though, with 20 year-old midfielder Thiago Alcantara signing a new contract until 2015.
"Thiago has renewed and that's great news," said Xavi.
"He is a fantastic player with a lot of talent - the competitiveness of the group is great."
And Xavi has answered questions about his long-term fitness, by insisting he is feeling fresh ahead of the new campaign.
"I feel good physically, I'm very motivated and content," he said.
"Last year I suffered some tendonitis in the Achilles tendon but I'm over that.
"I'll try to start off as best I can and at the highest level."
View the original article here
0 comments:
Post a Comment