Barcelona prioritising four contract deals for next season – report

The long list of tasks at the offices of Spotify Camp Nou just keeps piling up. The renewal of existing players based on their performance, scouting players available on the radar and formulating schemes to facilitate their arrival adds up to a hectic schedule for the Catalan management.

In such a situation, it becomes vital for the board to prioritise their tasks and divide them into tiers based on urgency. SPORT reveals one such categorisation of the jobs pending at FC Barcelona, and it goes as follows:

Sergio Busquets’ future

The topmost priority of Catalan management at the moment is to gain clarity over the future of Sergio Busquets. The veteran midfielder is in the final year of his deal at Barcelona and was expected to leave the club at the end of the season.

Xavi, however, would prefer to keep his former teammate at the club for another season. The club will hence present Busquets with an offer for an additional year, but it will require the Spaniard to accept a wage slasher.

Busquets’ decision is hence binding on Barcelona’s, as the Catalans would have to pursue the signature of a top, long-term replacement if he leaves in the summer.

Alejandro Balde’s new contract

If Pedri was Barcelona’s star in 2020-21 and Gavi in 2021-22, then the current season belongs to Alejandro Balde.

The young left-back has safely secured the starting spot at left-back under Xavi Hernandez, displacing the experienced Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso in the process.

His current contract expires in June of next year, and it is an absolute priority for the club to keep him for years to come. It is important to note that the two parties are yet to strike an agreement.

Sergi Roberto’s uncertain future

Sergi Roberto is neither a complete right-back nor a well-rounded midfielder and it is this very facet of his game that prevents him from being a regular starter at Barcelona.

His inability to excel at either position forces Xavi to limit his involvement to cameos and as a backup for injured players.

Having seen a steep fall in playing time this season, the third captain is having serious doubts over his continuity at the club. The board too share the same dilemma and contemplate whether a renewal is justified. That decision stands third on Barcelona’s roster.

More Dembele drama

It seems like Barcelona went through the entire Ousmane Dembele renewal saga just yesterday. However, both club and player have come a long way since, with the Frenchman even establishing himself as one of the most important players in Xavi’s regime.

Dembele has openly spoken about his desire to stay in Barcelona for years to come. That step remains to be officially taken, and the exchange of signatures between the two parties is one of the objectives of the coming months.