Barcelona coaching staff not convinced by the idea of renewing veteran until January 2024

Sergio Busquets’ future at Barcelona has become a subject of contention ever since the midfielder announced his retirement from international football.

Busquets’ contract at Barça expires at the end of the season and it appears the player has made his mind up about leaving Camp Nou in 2023, in favour of a move to Major League Soccer, with Inter Miami emerging as the likely suitor.

However, Xavi Hernandez has no intention to let Busquets leave the club at the end of the season. There are suggestions that the Barcelona coach may even try to convince the midfielder to stay at Camp Nou at least until January 2024.

But according to a report from Mundo Deportivo, it appears the Barcelona coaching staff is not on board with the idea of Busquets staying at Camp Nou only until the first half of the 2023/24 campaign.

They believe the veteran midfielder’s departure during mid-season will hamper squad planning and force the club to go after a new midfielder during the January transfer window.

As such, Barcelona only want Busquets to continue throughout the entirety of the 2023/24 season if he does indeed wish to prolong his stay in Catalonia.

The player, for his part, has yet to inform the decision on his future to the Barcelona board. The coaching staff remains determined to keep him at the club for at least another season, but there are fears that the player has already made his mind up about leaving.

It is apparent that Xavi’s insistence on keeping hold of Busquets may influence the player’s decision, to an extent. But in the event the midfielder does not want to continue until the summer of 2024, it will not come as a surprise to see him depart Camp Nou permanently at the end of this season.