Ex-Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has added weight to the reports linking Xavi with a big-money switch to Al Arabi.
Dan Petrescu, coach of the Qatar Stars League outfit, told Digi Sport on Tuesday that the 34-year-old playmaker had signed a pre-contract agreement with the club.
The Spain midfielder – currently playing at the FIFA World Cup – has regularly been linked with a move away from Camp Nou in recent times.
Xavi's declining form was a symptom of Barca's poor season, which saw them end the campaign without a major trophy for the first time since 2007-08.
And Fabregas, who this month moved to Chelsea from Barcelona, told Marca: (Xavi) and (Carles) Puyol have decided to step aside.
"(They want) to be closer to their families, away from so much demand."
Puyol ended his 17-year playing career with Barcelona when he retired last season.