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Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman denies Riqui Puig rift

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 January 2021

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman insists that he has no issues with out-of-favour midfielder Riqui Puig amid reports of a dressing-room bust-up.

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has affirmed that he has no problems with Riqui Puig amid reports of a behind-the-scenes fallout.

Puig was expected to leave the Catalan giants in the summer and was allegedly branded a "leak" by Koeman when discussions over a possible exit were made public.

The Arsenal-linked youngster continues to struggle for game time at Camp Nou, but Koeman has insisted that there is no animosity between the two amid speculation surrounding Puig's future.

Speaking to reporters after Barcelona's victory over Granada, the Blaugrana boss said: "I have nothing against Riqui Puig.

"We have very young players like Konrad (de la Fuente), Matheus (Fernandes) and Junior (Firpo) who don't have many minutes, but you always think I'm talking about Riqui. His future? He has to decide."

The 21-year-old has only made six appearances as a substitute this term, and he was brought on for the final 17 minutes of Saturday's 4-0 win, in which Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann both scored twice.

Barcelona recently activated a clause in Puig's contract to keep him on until 2023.