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Barcelona's Sergio Busquets rubbishes MLS reports

Sergio Busquets rubbishes MLS reports
© Reuters
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets denies claims that he has an agreement to join an MLS club when his Blaugrana contract expires next summer.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has insisted that there is "nothing" concrete surrounding a move to MLS in 2023.

The Spain international has entered the final year of his contract with the Catalan giants and has been widely expected to leave when his current terms end.

Xavi is blessed with a multitude of midfield options alongside Busquets, as Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Franck Kessie and Sergi Roberto compete for places.

Barcelona are rumoured to be scoping out a number of candidates to replace Busquets, who will turn 35 next year and is understood to be on the radar of MLS clubs.

A recent report claimed that the midfielder was "tempted" by the prospect of a switch to the United States upon the expiration of his Barcelona contract, but he has affirmed that talk of an early agreement is wide of the mark.

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets pictured in July 2021© Reuters

"I can't tell you anything because there's nothing. There is nothing despite the rumours that have appeared. There is nothing official. I'll see how I'm doing this season. There is nothing," Busquets told the press during the international break.

"I want to enjoy myself and then I will see. It is clear that I am not 20 years old. A priori, it is the last year of my contract, but things have been made official that are false."

One player that Barcelona are rumoured to be keeping tabs on to replace Busquets in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, who has played every minute for Imanol Alguacil's side in La Liga this term.

While affirming that he was unsure if Barcelona's interest in Zubimendi was concrete, Busquets was full of praise for the man 11 years his junior, adding: "Zubimendi is a great player, but he's from La Real.

"I don't know if Barcelona is interested. Both here and at Barcelona the game is very positional. You have to support, look for your partner. Luck is being able to play in the best in the world and in a great team.The coach is looking for very similar players, who assimilate the way of playing."

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets pictured in July 2020© Reuters

Busquets has featured from the first whistle in four of Barcelona's first six La Liga games of the new campaign with the captain's armband, as well as playing 80 minutes against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The 34-year-old now has 18 goals and 43 assists to boast from 685 appearances in a Barcelona shirt in all competitions, placing third in their all-time appearance list behind Xavi and Lionel Messi.

Busquets has won a total of 32 major honours during his illustrious Barcelona career, and Zubimendi is not the only midfielder to have been touted as a possible replacement.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves has also been linked with a switch to Camp Nou, but Barcelona have supposedly cooled their interest in the Portugal international while they prioritise a move for Zubimendi.

The Spaniard's Sociedad contract - which runs for another three years - is understood to include a release clause of £52.5m, but Barcelona are intending to push for a lower fee in 2023.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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2Real Madrid27176457263157
3Atletico MadridAtletico27168344182656
4Athletic Bilbao271310445242149
5Villarreal26128648361244
6Real BetisBetis2711883533241
7Mallorca27107102633-737
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9Celta Vigo27106114041-136
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11Real Sociedad27104132328-534
12Getafe2789102322133
13GironaGirona2796123540-533
14Osasuna2671273237-533
15Espanyol2677122537-1228
16Valencia2769123045-1527
17Leganes2769122440-1627
18AlavesAlaves2768133040-1026
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2766153045-1524
20Real ValladolidValladolid2744191862-4416


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