MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 02:52:28| >> :120:14934:14934:

"I hope he renews" - Xavi desperate for 32-year-old to pen new Barcelona deal

© Reuters
Barcelona head coach Xavi hopes that Sergi Roberto will sign a new contract at Camp Nou, with his existing terms due to expire at the end of June.

Barcelona head coach Xavi is hopeful that Sergi Roberto will sign a new contract at Camp Nou.

The 32-year-old's existing deal with the Catalan giants is due to expire at the end of June, and there remains speculation surrounding his future, with a departure thought to be possible.

However, Xavi has said that he 'wants Roberto to renew his contract', with a one-year extension thought to be on the table for the Spaniard.

"I want him to renew his contract, and it depends on him. He knows my position. He can help us a lot. I hope he renews," Xavi told reporters during his press conference on Sunday.

Roberto has struggled with injury problems during the 2023-24 campaign, which have restricted him to just 19 appearances in all competitions, while he has played just nine times in La Liga this term.

FC Barcelona's Sergi Roberto celebrates scoring their second goal on December 20, 2023© Reuters

Xavi wants Sergi Roberto to sign a new deal at Barcelona

The midfielder has been with Barcelona since 2006, progressing to the first team in 2010, and he has represented the club on 368 occasions in all competitions.

Girona, who are currently second in the La Liga table and preparing for Champions League football next season, are believed to be the favourites to sign Roberto on a free transfer.

However, Xavi remains hopeful that the Spaniard will renew, and he is expected to be involved in Monday's league clash against Valencia at Mestalla, where the Catalan outfit will be aiming to recover from successive losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

"We are fine, we want second place. We must achieve second place to be in the Spanish Super Cup. Valencia under [Ruben] Baraja is a good opponent, and Baraja did a great job. It will be a difficult match," Xavi told reporters ahead of the clash with Valencia.

Barcelona coach Xavi before the match on December 10, 2023© Reuters

Xavi says Barcelona are determined to secure second in La Liga

"I saw the team was very committed. We had time to train more. The team is excited to win tomorrow and end the season well. I am excited to continue another season."

Barcelona will take on Girona in the league next weekend, but Xavi has said that the team are not currently thinking about the Catalan derby.

"The most important thing is tomorrow, then we will think about Girona. They are a direct competitor, I already said that in the first leg," he added.

"There is a minimum, which is to qualify for the Champions League and the other is to qualify for the Super Cup."

Barcelona can still mathematically win the La Liga title, but they are 14 points behind the leaders Real Madrid, who recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Friday night.

ID:542423:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4365:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Sergi Roberto

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on April 21, 2024
Read Next:
Barcelona 'planning lucrative new deal for Man United-linked centre-back'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!