Xavi's current deal with Barca expires in 2010 but the 28-year-old Spain international is in talks about an extension that could see him remain at the club for another three or four years.

The locally-born schemer has been at Barca his entire career, making his senior debut during the 1998-99 season, and he insists his intention is to end his playing days at the club as well.

"Yes, definitely. I'm fortunate to be a player who has an emotional attachment to this team," the Euro 2008 winner said.

"I've been a Barca fan all my live. I've always said that and never hidden it.

"It's clear that my dream would be to end my career at the club of my life, which is Barca."

With regards the contract negotiations, which have been going on for a number of weeks now, Xavi added in El Mundo Deportivo: "An agreement is very close, things are going very well.

"They want me to stay and I want to stay. I think that it's only a question of days before an agreement is reached."