Barcelona captain has asked to leave in January to join Inter Miami – report

Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets has reportedly asked to leave the club in the January transfer window, according to journalist Jose Alvarez.

Busquets is in the final year of his contract with Barça and his future has been discussed at length in media of late.

A free transfer to MLS outfit Inter Miami has been touted for the longest time, but recent reports suggested that an extension with the Catalans was not off the table.

However, as per the latest update from the aforementioned journalist, the 34-year-old midfielder has asked to leave the club as early as January.

This is not the first time reports of Busquets wanting to leave Barcelona in the winter have emerged.

Not long ago, it had been claimed that the veteran superstar had grown frustrated by the criticism aimed at him when the team was going through a rough patch. Hence, he had asked the club to let him depart in January, although those talks had gone quiet.

Manager Xavi Hernandez sees Busquets as an integral part of his plans and is keen for the veteran star to sign an extension and remain at the club beyond the ongoing season.

However, it seems like those plans might not materialise as Busquets has seemingly asked the Catalans to allow him to leave in the upcoming winter window.

The report from Jose Alvarez adds that the Spanish international has informed the club that he has plans to join Inter Miami now itself.

The MLS season is scheduled to begin in late February with clubs starting pre-season work from next month. And if the aforementioned claims are true, it seems like Busquets wants to move to the USA in time for the 2023 season.

Barcelona could be willing to sanction their captain’s departure midway through the season as it would help them with their Fair Play issues. However, whether they can sign a suitable replacement for Busquets would be another major question.