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Barcelona summer transfer plans : Sergi Roberto

By Chiranjib Ghosh

11th February 2018, Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Barcelona versus Getafe; Sergi Roberto runs forward looking for a team mate (Photo by Pedro Salado/Action Plus via Getty Images)
11th February 2018, Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Barcelona versus Getafe; Sergi Roberto runs forward looking for a team mate (Photo by Pedro Salado/Action Plus via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea did not go after Sergi Roberto in the January transfer window

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 11: Sergi Roberto of Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Getafe at Camp Nou on February 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 11: Sergi Roberto of Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Getafe at Camp Nou on February 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Chelsea were the favourites to sign Sergi Roberto in January. According to the press, he was a disgruntled player, unhappy with how Ernesto Valverde had treated him. His contract was going to expire in 2019, and his release clause was a lowly €40 million.

By the third week of January, all these facts turned out to be void. And Chelsea turned out to be a club in shambles. The London club’s form was taking a dip, and rifts were emerging between Antonio Conte and the Blues board.

But the summer might turn out to be quite different for Sergi Roberto. He might have signed a new contract, but clubs are willing to pay a premium for an utility player like Sergi Roberto. And in case he submits a transfer request, his mammoth €500 million release clause will not be binding.

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The management needs to hold talks with Sergi Roberto and his agent, clearing the club’s position on his role in the squad. Such discussions did take place before he penned a new deal. But as the new season approaches, he would feel a desire to play more often.

But that is simply not possible, as there is no position in the first-team where he outshines the existing players who occupy those positions. He needs to understand that he will be never be a starter for Barcelona.

Next: Ernesto Valverde could rest players against Eibar

He has developed well, but Sergi Roberto is simply not good enough for the first-team. But he will get a lot of minutes, because of his versatility.