Xavi avoid Rudiger transfer talks as he urges Barca to keep momentum

Before Sunday's

match against Sevilla, Xavi avoided being drawn on the possibility of Barcelona signing

center-back

Antonio Rudiger

. 

Rudiger's half-brother and agent, Sahr Senesie, was photographed entering a

hotel with Blaugrana sporting director Mateu Alemany and technical director Jordi Cruyff this week. 

The Germany international's stay at Stamford Bridge ends at the completion of the season, meaning he's been free to speak to teams across the world since January. 

But, rather than prospective new signings, Barca head coach Xavi is focused on orchestrating a win at Camp Nou this weekend that would lift his team over Sevilla into second place.

He said during a press conference on Saturday:

"I'm not going to talk about signings, we have a lot at stake. It is true that Mateu, Jordi and the board are working for next season, but our [job] is to go for second place tomorrow."

Ousmane Dembele is in a similar predicament to Rudiger, with his contract at Barcelona set to expire at the end of the season. 

In the midst of doubt surrounding his future, Xavi lauded the France winger's professionalism and stated that only the 24-year-old can determine where he will play next season. 

He said:

"I haven't had a single complaint about Dembele at a professional level since I arrived. He's a footballer of many levels, well worked, I still think he can be the best in his position. It's up to him, the renewal depends on him."

In the meantime, Barcelona manager is hopeful that Gavi and Ronald Araujo, who are both under contract until the end of next season, will extend their contracts. 

"The club cannot afford to lose Gavi and Araujo, they are very important to us and I show it with the minutes I give them. I am optimistic and I hope a solution is reached," Xavi said.

The Catalans has won five straight matches in the Spanish top division, the most recent of which was a 4-0 Clasico demolition of

at the Santiago Bernabeu just before the international break.

With a game in hand, the Catalan heavyweights are 12 points behind Los Blancos, and Xavi has urged that they keep their momentum against Sevilla. 

"The message is to continue, not to let our guard down, not to relax," he said. "The Bernabeu was good, but the goals are to be as high as possible in the league and win the Europa League." 

The coach added: "The break could have been good for us. It is a final sprint in which we have to grit our teeth."

Luuk de Jong will not play against his parent club after contracting COVID-19, while Sergino Dest, Samuel Umtiti, Ansu Fati, and Sergi Roberto are all injured and will miss the match.

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