'Everything is open' - Joan Laporta insists Xavi could remain at Barcelona beyond the summer as he appears to dismiss manager's 'won't change my mind' statement

Xavi announced his intention to depart at the end of the season in January, triggering efforts from the Barcelona hierarchy to persuade him to reconsider his decision. The Blaugrana's fine form since his announcement, including a 12-game unbeaten streak, has added weight to their appeal.

In a press conference ahead of Barcelona's match against Cadiz last weekend, Xavi reiterated his stance, stating: "I will not change my mind." Despite the emphatic confirmation from the man himself, Laporta remains undeterred and claims that discussions about Xavi's future will take place at the end of the season with everything remaining "open".

Laporta said via Mundo Deportivo: "We will discuss this issue at the end of the season. He [Xavi] is doing very well. He expressed himself in the sense in which he expressed himself, I understand that everything is open and everything is revisable. I understood that there have been circumstances that led him to do what he did. But at the end of the season, we will talk. There is time to talk about it."

Barca's sporting director Deco made a contradictory statement to Laporta a few days ago, insisting there are currently no plans to convince Xavi to change his mind about his departure.

"At the moment there is no plan for Xavi to change his mind; if there is, we will talk," Deco said.

"The peace of mind comes from the results. The team is winning. We have already talked a lot about Xavi. It has been a personal issue. We don't have much to talk about. We have to think about the games."

As speculation surrounding Xavi's impending exit persists, Barcelona players remain focused on finishing the season strongly. Currently trailing rivals Real Madrid by eight points in La Liga, Barca will have the opportunity to bridge the gap during the Clasico on Saturday. However, before that, they will face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on home soil, having won the first leg in France 3-2.