Barcelona president Joan Laporta says his club plan to sign PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mark van Bommel at the end of the season and offer playmaker Xavi a new contract in the face of interest from Chelsea.
"He [van Bommel] is a player who has given his word that he will commit to the club and we are all trying to ensure that he joins Barcelona next season," Laporta was quoted as saying by sports daily El Mundo Deportivo on Saturday.
"But we do not want to sign anything until the present season is over. Van Bommel has made it clear that he is very interested in coming."
Van Bommel's contract at PSV finishes at the end of the season and he has said he will be leaving the club, who are Dutch champions and have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Laporta, who was answering questions from a group of journalism students at Barcelona University, added that Barcelona also planned to offer Xavi a fresh contract in the face of apparent interest from Chelsea.
"For me, he [Xavi] has been one of the keys to our success this season and we hope that he will continue to be so for many years to come," he said.
"We will make him an offer that will improve his present deal and I'm confident he will accept.
"It's true there has been some interest from Chelsea, at least that's what his representative has led us to believe, but I think that Xavi is very happy here and will accept our offer."
The 25-year-old Spanish international, a Barcelona player since the start of his professional career, has a contract with the club until 2007.
Asked which player he would most like to see join the Barca in the future, Laporta said he was a great fan of Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who will turn 28 in August.
"The truth is I would love to see Thierry Henry here, but he would have to come now given his age," said Laporta.
