Barcelona right-back prioritises renewing despite contract offers on the table

It’s pretty much evident that Barcelona have no intention of keeping veteran defender Sergi Roberto in their roster beyond the ongoing season. Despite that, though, the 30-year-old is clinging to Barça, with Spanish news outlet MARCA claiming that he still wants to continue.

Roberto’s current deal runs out at the end of the season and Barcelona have already tabled their side of the negotiation. That, however, was nothing but mere formality out of respect since the team demanded him to take a big fat paycut. 

Roberto, a La Masia graduate, has been a subject of varied offers from around the world, including the Major League Soccer and the English Premier League, but as quoted by SPORT, he is not paying any attention to it.

As for Barcelona, the last time they had a meeting with Roberto was in December when they proposed a significant slash in his salary. Since then, the parties involved haven’t discussed any terms.

Roberto knows the delay in the meeting is due to the fact that Barcelona want him out. At the same time, though, manager Xavi has publicly stated in the past that he wants the defender to continue. 

“I’ve said it many times. Sergi is a player who has to stay at the club,” Xavi had said in February. “This is something the club needs to deal with. It depends on him, the economics, but in terms of football there are no doubts he’s an important player for me for the future of Barça,” he added.

As of today, the veteran defender, who can also play as a central midfielder, is recovering from an injury that has limited his participation this season. He underwent surgery in the rectus femoris of his right leg in December and is reported to have close to making a comeback.