Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto has said that he is under the impression he will be handed a new contract by the Catalan outfit.
There is currently speculation surrounding the 30-year-old's future, as his contract at Camp Nou is due to expire at the end of June.
Roberto has been a regular for Barcelona this season, making 12 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and providing two assists, although he has been on the sidelines since the end of October due to a shoulder injury.
The Spaniard has said that he is yet to hold contract talks with Xavi's side, but he has been informed that he is wanted at the club next term.
"We haven't started talking yet, but my idea is to stay. From what the coaching staff has told me, they are very happy with me and want me to stay," Roberto told RAC1.
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Roberto has also opened up on the injury problems that he has suffered in recent seasons.
"Without a doubt when I was injured against Atletico (worst injury of career), then I got into a negative dynamic, but when Xavi arrived I had an operation and now it's perfect, I'm excited and I'm enjoying myself on the pitch," he added.
"During [Ronald] Koeman's period when I was injured against Atletico, I was absent for two months and then I relapsed, I came back after that but I did not fully recover.
"There were times when I would have preferred not to play because I was not feeling comfortable. When Dr. Pruna arrived he told me 'You have to have an operation, I don't understand how you play like that.'
"I lived complex years with injuries, but I am convinced that 2023 will be completely different and that injuries will be forgotten. I am 100% sure that in this second period of the season I will be better than ever."
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Roberto also paid tribute to Xavi, claiming that he feels 'confident' under the management of the 42-year-old.
"From the first day he arrived, Xavi gave me the confidence to work and recover calmly. He told me that they would be waiting for me and that they had complete confidence in me. For a player that's the most important thing, to feel the coach's confidence," said the Spaniard.
"Under Xavi, I played as a midfielder and as a right-back. I don't care about the position. I play wherever the team needs me."
Roberto came through the youth system at Barcelona, making his first-team debut for the club in 2010, and he has represented them on 328 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 times and contributing 39 assists.
The midfielder has won six La Liga crowns, six Copa del Rey trophies and two Champions League titles during his time with the Catalan outfit.
Matt Law
