Barcelona midfielder Xavi has ruled out ending his career in the Premier League. He has regularly been linked with a switch to England, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United rumoured to have shown an interest.
"There was always talk United or Chelsea or City and Arsenal wanted to sign me but never anything concrete," Xavi told The Sun.
"My thinking was always clear. I am such a Barcelona fan, so my first, second and third option is always Barca.
"I never thought of leaving like Cesc Fabregas, who went to Arsenal.
"I want to be here forever. If I am not at Barcelona, I will always be thinking of Barca. If I had played for City, United, Arsenal or Chelsea, I'd keep asking what is going on at Barca - my club.
"All the big English clubs know getting Xavi is impossible. They know Xavi is a fan of Barcelona, he won't come.
"I've no regrets at all, but I still think at times that I would have loved to play in England. You 'live' football over there.
"People respect you more. It's more difficult to find respect in Spain. There is more criticism here. In England, a player who's won many things is more respected than in Spain. It's not happened because my dream, my feeling and my idea was to be at Barcelona. Forever."
