Whilst it seems that the immediate future of Xavi Hernandez will be on the bench at Al Sadd, the Qatari club will allow him to depart if Joan Laporta and Barcelona make him an offer to replace Ronald Koeman.
Having officially penned a contract extension with the Qatari club on Wednesday, the former Barcelona midfielder is committed to the project he has overseen there. However, his name continues to be linked with the Blaugrana, especially as Koeman is coming under increased pressure.
Xavi's renewal with Al Sadd will run for two seasons, but it's understood that there has been contact between Joan Laporta and the coach in the last few weeks.
There isn't a clause in Xavi's contract, but Al Sadd have an understanding with him that they won't stand in his way if Barcelona make him an offer.
When Josep Maria Bartomeu offered Xavi the job over a year ago, to replace Ernesto Valverde, he rejected that approach and this was valued very highly by those in power at Al Sadd.
They haven't forgotten about his loyalty to them and they will now, in turn, repay it by allowing him to leave for the Camp Nou if and when the time is right.