Xavi: I can't deny that my dream is to coach Barcelona, but for now I'm focused on Al-Sadd and the cup final Barcelona Expected to replace Valverde

Xavi Hernandez isn't hiding the fact that he wants to coach Barcelona someday but insists he's fully focused on the job at hand with Al-Sadd.

The Catalans are pursuing their former midfielder as they want him to replace Ernesto Valverde at the Camp Nou, and are expecting him to respond to a proposal they've put to him by Sunday at the latest.

"I can't deny that my dream is to coach Barcelona," Xavi said on Saturday after leading his side to the Qatari cup final.

"I've said it so many times, in a lot of interviews.

"Everyone knows that I'm a Barcelona fan, the club are in my heart and my dreams.

"But for now I'm focused on Al-Sadd."

Eric Abidal and Oscar Grau met with Xavi on Friday and watched Al-Sadd's semi-final win on Saturday, which saw the club qualify for the final.

"Abidal is my friend," Xavi added, "I've met with him a lot of times.

"I respect Barcelona, I respect Valverde and I respect my contract.

"I'm doing my job here. I've been focussing on the semi-final and now I'm thinking about the final.

"I'm very happy to be coaching Al-Sadd and I respect this club a lot.

"I can't say anything else."

Although Xavi admitted that he spoke with Abidal and Grau, he wasn't willing to say what was discussed.

"They were here and we spoke about a lot of things," Xavi said.

"They were also here to see how Ousmane Dembele is doing.

"That's it. I'm sorry, but I can't give any more information.

"I was with Abidal. He's my friend. That's it.

"I'm at Al-Sadd and I respect Valverde."