Signing Angel Di Maria From Real Madrid Will Be Difficult - Xavi

Rumours going round Spain suggests that Barcelona are trying to sin Real Madrid's unwanted star. Xavi believes Barcelona would find it difficult to prise Angel Di Maria away from Real Madrid before the end of the summer transfer window. Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed on Thursday that the Argentina international wants to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, leading to speculation that the capital club's Catalan rivals could make a move for the 26-year-old winger. Nevertheless, Xavi has all but ruled out the possibility of Di Maria making the move to Camp Nou.

"He is a great player," the Barcelona skipper said at a press conference. "But fact is that he is a Real Madrid player at the moment.


"The past has shown that it is always difficult for a Madrid player to move to Barcelona and the other way around."

Di Maria has also been heavily linked with Manchester United, while Paris Saint-Germain allegedly continue to monitor his situation at the Bernabeu as well, irrespective of their claims that they cannot afford the former Benfica man.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will probably have to make do without the services of Neymar in Sunday's La Liga game against Elche due to an ankle sprain and Xavi believes the Brazil international will be sorely missed.

"I don't know yet whether Neymar is available for Sunday's game, but he is a very important player for Barcelona," the playmaker confessed.

"It would be big handicap for the team if he misses the match due to injury."