Barcelona’s Busquets replacement target dismisses exit speculations: “I renewed to stay”

Barcelona are scouring the market for a replacement for midfield mainstay Sergio Busquets. The 34-year-old is entering the final six months of his contract and could leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season.

While a final decision is yet to be made, there have been rumours of a move to Inter Miami, although recent reports suggest that Busquets is considering remaining at Camp Nou for another year.

Given the uncertainty, the Blaugrana are looking at potential replacements for Busquets and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad has emerged as one of the most favoured candidates.

The 23-year-old Spaniard is said to be Xavi’s preferred candidate to take over from Busquets at Camp Nou.

However, Zubimendi, in a recent media interaction, has dismissed the speculations linking him with an exit, stating that he signed a new contract with Real Sociedad because he wanted to remain at the club.

“I am clear about what I want for this year and that is Real,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Zubimendi added that these rumours “are part of football” and that they are common “when the market opens up” but he insisted that he is unaffected by what is being written or reported in the media.

“I’m surrounded by good people who make me keep my feet and my focus where they belong, which is here, at Real Sociedad.”

Zubimendi signed a new deal with the Basque club, extending his stay until 2027. However, he insisted on keeping his release clause value from the previous contract intact, meaning it still stands at €60 million, even though Sociedad wanted to increase it to €90 million.

Explaining that manoeuvre, the midfielder said: “It is an issue that surprised me because I was very happy to renew and I saw that there were many comments about the clause.”

“It is a balanced number, the one I deserved, comparing it to that of other teammates and the status I had. I thought it was the clause that had to be given my status,” he added.

Finally, reiterating his desire to continue at Real Sociedad, Zubimendi stated: “I renewed to stay here, it was the choice I made.”