Sergio Busquets design your way out FC Barcelona. First he resolved his final with the Spanish team. He now has to face his situation with his team. The 34-year-old midfielder from Badia will meet in the coming days with the leaders of the Barça entity, who already know about his intention to go to Major League Soccer (MLS) and join Inter Miami.
In the club they contemplate three possible scenarios: that he says goodbye now in January and he can start the preseason in USA; to do it at the end of the season, in June; Or, as a third option, that an extension of his contract be extended for another six months, until December 2023, and he can start the North American preseason of the following course, that of 2024.
From the club it is admitted that his immediate departure would improve the delicate situation of the salary limit, which right now stands at negative 26 million. Gerard Piqué’s contract break released five million, although they are expected to be more from next season, about 20.
In any case, as much as the offices don’t look badly on Busquets setting sail for the MLS in January, it is understood that Xavi Hernández doesn’t even want to hear about that operation. The coach considers that his position, nuclear in his structure, would be naked without Badia’s footballer. It is already known, in addition, of the football and personal connection between player and coach.
And not only that. Xavi is under pressure to win the League, as he explained John Laporta in the Christmas toast with the media. “It is the priority objective,” said the president. A challenge to demonstrate “that the recovery process of the club is going at a good pace”. Without Busquets, the challenge would seem more uphill for Xavi.
Option Ruben Neves
If he ends up leaving, a feasible option that the club is studying to replace him is that of the Portuguese Ruben Neves, 25 years old and who plays for Wolverhampton. His agent is Jorge Mendes, the same as Alejandro Balde, with whom relations are fluid.
But given the situation of the salary limit, right now at Barça the idea has spread that there will be no signings in this winter market and it will be difficult for them to have them in the summer, when they will have to return to the 1×4 formula, that is, for every four euros that you release from the salary mass may only allocate one for any incorporation.
In this way, two names that have been on the Barca agenda in recent months have already been erased. Bernardo Silva, on the one hand (he is expensive and will soon be 29 years old), and Gundogan, on the other, who is already considered older (32 years old). That is why the current template is valued. And if something is missing, look above all below, to the Masia, where, by the way, a 15-year-old boy stands out, Lamine Yamal, represented by Iván de la Peña and who wants to renew yes or yes. He is considered the true pearl of the squad.
Gavi, Araujo, Memphis…
One of the priorities of the Barcelona board is to be able to register the new professional records of Ronald Araujo and Gavi. The club hopes to achieve it in February. Bucket’s will have to wait. Who has not yet spoken about his renewal is with Ousmane Dembele. No hurry. From the club they want to pamper him, since he is expected to return touched after Deschamps’ decision to replace him in the final before the break, a measure that was interpreted as ugly at Barça.
More proper names: Xavi wants to give a new opportunity in this second half of the season to Hector Bellerin, affected by injuries and lack of rhythm in the first quarter. and regarding Memphis, to which Barça would like to sell him, still no offers for him in the offices. Just one from Newcastle. But the Dutch forward does not want to leave and stops any attempt by the clubs that might be interested. In addition, in June he concludes his contract and he will be able to leave for free.
No news is expected from Jordi Alba, a very expensive winger for his salary but with a contract until 2024. The club rules out an approach to ask him for a salary reduction. Neither him, nor Ter Stegen nor Frenkie de Jong, the footballers with the highest salaries once Piqué has been removed and Busquets is about to do so.
