Xavi Hernandez: Everton’s Ross Barkley and Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling good enough for Barcelona

Barcelona’s Xavi has revealed he is impressed with Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling, so impressed he feels they could play for his beloved club.

The passing master is the record appearance maker in a Barcelona shirt and he acknowledges that both attacking midfielders are of the quality to appear in that shirt as well.

Yesterday, the Express reported that Barcelona’s captain was asked if the England duo could play for the Catalan club, saying; "Yes, why not? I think that they could."

Barkley, 20, has been linked with every top English club and even Liverpool since his debut and then his breakthrough season last year. However, he committed to the Toffees with a new five-year deal in the summer, but why would that stop the speculation?

Reports of contract negotiations for Sterling have been rumbling since last season and the hearsay is currently that he will put pen to paper.

Sterling has already been linked with Barca’s biggest rivals Real Madrid and Xavi believes both he and Barkley have the technical qualities associated with his fellow countrymen.

"They have incredible physical capabilities and they are good technically.

In Spain, we prioritise players who are technically gifted but both things are very important in football."