Barcelona Transfer News: Rafa Mujica Reportedly Signs, Latest Xavi Rumours

Barcelona have won the race to sign UD Las Palmas teenager Rafa Mujica, writes Liam Corless of the Daily Mirror, despite still being under a transfer ban.

The Spanish champions are not allowed to sign players during 2015, per BBC Sport, but have agreed a deal to sign Mujica, per Corless.

Mujica is still only 16 but will join up with Barcelona's youth team on a four-year contract from next season, and you can see some of the talent he has in the video below:

Several of Europe's top clubs had also shown an interest in Mujica, according to Las Palmas' official website, per Corless. The likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Juventus had also been following the player.

The deal for Mujica—once made official—again demonstrates Barcelona's ability to keep one eye on the future, especially as the club prepare to say goodbye to one of their greats.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Xavi will announce on Thursday, per Joaquin Maroto of AS, that he has signed a three-year contract to join Al Sadd in Qatar. He will also become an ambassador for the country's staging of the 2022 World Cup.

There have been months of speculation that Xavi will be moving to Qatar at the end of the season, especially after he visited the country in March, per Sky Sports.

At the time, Xavi said in AS (h/t Sky Sports): "It was just a visit, nothing more, just a visit. When I've some news, I'll let you know."

But he is now primed to leave Barcelona after playing a less important part in their latest title success. Xavi has started only 18 games in La Liga this season, per WhoScored.com, and featured 12 times as a substitute.

Sport quotes Xavi's father, Joaquim, who confirmed the veteran's imminent departure from the Camp Nou, saying:

"

We're so used to seeing him in a Barcelona shirt for so long now. Time has passed so quickly and I think the moment has arrived for Xavi to say goodbye.

Life goes on, there will be a lot of nostalgia, but life is like that. His decision is a measured one and the correct one.

"

Before Xavi goes, though, he could create a piece of history, per AS:

The 35-year-old has previously attracted interest from New York City FC, and the Major League Soccer club's sporting director, Claudio Reyna, had suggested he would try again to sign Xavi, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC.

Reyna said in February: "We are very interested in 'franchise' players, like Xavi. The door is not closed. We will see. For sure we will need to bring in a third 'franchise' player in the summer."

Qatar, though, is highly likely to be Xavi's destination. However, Raul, who also played for Al Sadd, has warned him to prepare to play in front of small crowds.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press/Associated Press

Raul told Panenka (h/t Peter McVitie of Goal.com): "I got used to playing at half-empty stadiums at Al Sadd. There was no one in the stands in Qatar. The atmosphere in New York made me all of a sudden feel like I was back at the Santiago Bernabeu."

The time certainly feels right for Xavi to move on from Barcelona now that he is no longer able to command a regular starting spot. Like many players who have served one club for so long and with such distinction, such as Steven Gerrard, Xavi has made the decision to leave European football for a new challenge.

He will not enjoy the same profile once he is out in Qatar, but nobody will forget Xavi's role in the success of Barcelona and Spain over the past decade.