Friday 27 February 2015 10:39, UK
New York City FC have not given up hope of luring Barcelona midfielder Xavi to the club.
The newly-formed Major League Soccer club, who will commence their first season next month, tried to tempt the World Cup winner last summer but he opted to stay at Barcelona.
The 34-year-old has been part of the club’s first team squad since the 1998/99 season, winning three Champions League and seven La Liga titles, and is under contract until 2016.
New York City already have Xavi’s former club and international team-mate David Villa on the books, as well as Frank Lampard, who is currently on loan at Manchester City.
The club’s director of football operations Claudio Reyna is looking to recruit players next year and admits Xavi is still on his radar.
We do not close the doors to Xavi ahead of next year. It’s true that we have already tried to sign him, but next year we will need new franchise players
He told Spanish TV channel TV3: “We do not close the doors to Xavi ahead of next year. It’s true that we have already tried to sign him, but next year we will need new franchise players.”
Earlier this week Sky Sports won the rights to broadcast MLS matches exclusively live for the first time.
The four-year deal begins in March and Sky Sports will be the only pace to follow the fortunes of Lampard and former England captain Steven Gerrard, who will sign for LA Galaxy in July.
