Spanish international Sergi Roberto is reportedly closing in on signing a new deal at Barcelona.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Barcelona are closing in on a new deal for Sergi Roberto. The Spanish international is ready to commit his future to the Catalan club.
The 31-year-old came through the ranks at La Masia and has made 334 appearances for the senior side, scoring 14 goals and assisting 39 more. A key part of Barcelona’s success in recent years, he is among the senior players on Xavi Hernandez’s roster.
Largely deployed at right-back, the Spaniard is the club’s lone specialist player in the role. Having sold Hector Bellerin in the January transfer window, the 31-year-old is more or less unsellable at this point.
Regardless of whether the Blaugrana bring in reinforcements next summer, they will be well advised to retain the services of Roberto.
Barcelona are closing in on agreement to extend the contract of Sergi Roberto until June 2024. 🔵🔴⏳ #FCB
Salary will include add-ons related to performances, parties discussing final details as @HelenaCondis first reported. Barça, now optimistic. pic.twitter.com/dZI31lS2De
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 9, 2023
That appears to be the line of thought at Spotify Camp Nou, with Barcelona keen to keep their star player. Talks are currently going well between both parties, and an agreement that will keep him in Catalunya until 2024.
Roberto will be 32 by the time his new deal expires and nearing the twilight years of his career. Xavi is slowly yet steadily rebuilding a Barcelona side that has been largely dependent on Lionel Messi in the recent past. While Roberto is unlikely to be a long-term solution to a key role, his experience and adherence to the club’s philosophy make him a good player to have in the squad.
Also, the Spaniard is more or less a utility man who can play several different roles with a good degree of competence. This ability to be who Xavi wants him to be is an excellent trait and can help the club firefight should an injury or two hit the roster.
As things stand, negotiations appear to be in the final stages, and an agreement appears to be just a matter of time. With him not getting any younger, it makes sense for Barcelona to offer him performance-related bonuses. As long as he continues to perform at a top level, it should prove to be a win-win for all.
Roberto wrote his name into Barcelona history with his stoppage-time win over Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The club will hope that the 31-year-old Spanish international is privy to more of such moments in the coming years.
