Transfer Centre

Sergi Roberto turns down Barcelona contract offer?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 03 February 2023

Barcelona right-back Sergi Roberto reportedly rejects a one-year contract offer to remain at Camp Nou, with his current deal due to expire in June.

Barcelona right-back Sergi Roberto has reportedly rejected a one-year contract offer to remain at the club.

The 30-year-old, who has spent his entire 13-year professional career at Camp Nou, will see his current deal expire at the end of the season.

Roberto has been a squad rotation player under head coach Xavi so far this campaign, largely due to injury, starting 10 of his 18 appearances in all competitions including just five starts in La Liga.

Nevertheless, Xavi is said to have been pleased with Roberto's contribution and is keen for the Spaniard to remain at the club for the 2023-24 season.

Last month, Roberto expressed his desire to commit his future to Barcelona but insisted that there was no update about extending his existing contract.

Barcelona's Pedri celebrates a goal later disallowed with Sergi Roberto on January 12, 2023 © Reuters

Speaking to reporters as quoted by Football Espana, Roberto said: "There is no news about my future. Everything remains the same. My desire to continue is the same, we have not started to speak at the club. I am sure that in the coming days or weeks we will speak with the president."

Asked whether he feels he is trusted by Xavi in the first team, Roberto added: "My desire is to be at the club of my life. I was a Cule when I was little and I have always said that I wanted to be here as long as possible.

"I come from a few years in which I have not been able to be 100% due to injuries. Since he arrived I felt the confidence of Xavi.

"When they arrived, it's true that I just had surgery, yes. But I've always felt it. Everything is in place to be able to spend more time here, it's the club of my life. We'll see how the conversations and the season go."

According to Marca, Barcelona want to retain the services of Roberto beyond this season and have tabled a one-year contract extension.

Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto pictured on May 2, 2021 © Reuters

However, the report claims that Roberto has decided to reject that offer following conversations with his agent Jose Maria Orobitg.

Barca are expected to table a new contract offer for the Spaniard, who has made a total of 334 appearances for the current La Liga leaders across all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing 39 assists.

Roberto's decision comes shortly after Barca failed in their pursuit of Los Angeles Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo on deadline day.

The Catalan giants allegedly agreed a £3.5m fee with the MLS club for the Mexico international, but director Mateu Alemany claims that the required documentation for the transfer arrived 18 seconds after the deadline due to a computer error.

Barca are now a defender light heading into the second half of the campaign after allowing right-back Hector Bellerin to join Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon on a free transfer.