Barcelona and Sergi Roberto at odds with contract extension

Sergi Roberto’s contract with Barcelona is set to expire in June of 2022. Both sides would be keen on an extension but talks between the two sides appear to be far apart.

Barcelona only offering a short-term deal to the versatile midfielder.

According to reports, the roadblock in negotiations has been the length of the proposed contract. Mundo Deportivo report that the player is unconvinced with the club’s offer because they are only offering a one-year extension.

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Roberto is considered to be part of manager Ronald Koeman‘s plans for next season and is looking for a multi-year extension.

Barcelona are hesitant to give it to him because of a change in policy brought about with the new board.

Under the new director of football Mateu Alemany, players who are 30 or over are set to only receive one-year extensions. Roberto just turned 29 but the new formula also applies to him.

While the two sides are not close to an agreement, the player’s intention is to stay at Barcelona but he is also conscious of wanting to secure a long-term future.

However, the club is conscious that they cannot overcommit to players who are entering the twilight of their careers. It is one of the reasons they find themselves in a worrisome financial shape.

Under Josep Maria Bartomeu, the reliance on older players put too much strain on their wage bill and left little resale value, which is why when it came time to move on, they had to let them leave for little in return.

Roberto has been hampered by injuries this season and has lost his starting spot at right-back to Sergiño Dest. With a potential return of Emerson from Real Betis and the number of players already in midfield, there may not be a spot for him next season.

At the very least his playing time could be drastically reduced.

.The Catalans have made their stance quite clear. They aren’t the only club to institute such a policy with older players. The choice is up to him. If Roberto declines, it is not out of the realm of possibilities that Barca may look to move him on rather than risk losing him on a free when his deal runs out.