Barcelona and Sergi Roberto remain “far away” from agreeing terms on a new contract, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish international considered leaving Barca in the summer, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Juventus all keen to sign the 25 year old. The utility player however decided to stay at the Camp Nou despite the interest in him, and his agent Josep Maria Orobitg opened talks with the club about a new deal.
Roberto’s current contract expires in 2019 and he has a €40million release clause that can be triggered by any club. Barca are aiming to offer a new five year deal that would also increase his buyout fee tenfold to €400m. Negotiations are however proving more difficult than anticipated with Orobitg returning for further talks tomorrow to see if a breakthrough can be found.
Roberto is reportedly unhappy with the basic wage currently being offered by the Catalan club, although both sides are still keen to come to an agreement. The longer that negotiations go on for though, the midfielder’s departure from the club becomes ever more likely.
