Xavi out, Fabregas in

Manchester City are set to offer Barcelona maestro a final pay off to end his career in the Eastlands, reports the Mirror.

City who have just clinched a Champions League spot are looking to sign 3 world class players in the summer and have identified the Spanish playmaker as one of their primary targets.

Xavi would be a marquee signing and would embark City as one of Europe's elite, but the Manchester club are conscious of UEFA's " financial fair play" ruling, which ensures clubs live within their means and not solely reliant on a mega rich owner.

On the surface, a deal for Xavi looks impossible. The Spaniard has been at Barcelona since 11, he has won every major honour in football and has 101 caps to his name for Spain. But a similar situation occurred last summer, when Real Madrid legend Raul joined Germany club Schalke with a view to a fresh challenge.

If a move does materialise for the Barcelona wizard, this could spell bad news for Arsenal, with Barcelona lining up Fabregas as his replacement as they are set to rekindle their interest in the Arsenal captain.

Fabregas appeared certain to sign for the Catalans last summer, but Barca ran into financial trouble and wasn't prepared to pay Arsenal's £40million asking price.