FC Barcelona officials are exploring the possibility of offering talismanic midfielder Xavi Hernandez a new contract that would effectively bind the player to the club for the rest of his playing career. Xavi, now 32, has a contract that extends until 2014 with an apparent option to extend for an additional season should both club and player agree. Details of the new offer have yet to be disclosed, but Xavi’s agent Iván Corretja confirmed on Monday that there was interest in an extension from both parties.

tB will obviously update you as this story develops. We also apologize for running this photo again; its just too good not to run!

Image: Alberto Estévez – EFE