Xavi remains on New York City FC radar as MLS club attempts to lure Barcelona midfield star away from the Nou Camp

Newly formed MLS outfit New York City FC are stepping up their efforts to sign Barcelona playmaker Xavi ahead of their maiden campaign which starts next month.

The club had attempted to sign the 35-year-old Spaniard last summer, but he decided to remain at the Nou Camp. 

Xavi has spent his entire professional career to date with Barcelona, graduating from the famed La Masia academy and progressing to the first-team in 1998. He has since gone on to win 22 trophies with the Catalan side, including three Champions League titles. 

 New York City FC are part of the City Football Group ownership network that also includes Premier League side Manchester City. 

The MLS newcomers have already managed to sign Spain's all-time leading goalscorer David Villa and England legend Frank Lampard, so they are hopeful that they can add Xavi to that star-studded fold.  

Claudio Reyna, the club's director of football operations, is overseeing player recruitment and has confirmed their interest in the midfielder. 

He told Spanish TV channel TV3: 'We do not close the doors to Xavi ahead of next year. It's true that we have already tried to sign him, but next year we will need new franchise players.'