It has been a month since FC Barcelona sent a contract offer to club captain Sergio Busquets. But a decision from the veteran midfielder is yet to arrive.
The 34-year-old sees his current contract expire at the end of the season, but manager Xavi Hernandez is intent on keeping hold of his captain for one more year.
To that end, Barcelona have tabled a one-year contract offer worth €7 million per year which is less than a third of what he currently earns.
A decision was expected in mid-April and could arrive next week. However, some reports are suggesting that Busquets is taking time to decide as is he awaiting clarity on the situation surrounding Lionel Messi and his possible return.
But, according to Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo, Busquets is now said to be willing to continue at Barcelona as he is more or less convinced that Messi will secure a return to the club in the summer.
Much like Busquets, Messi will also become a free agent in the summer, with his contract at PSG expiring. He has a renewal offer on the table from Les Parisiens but has not committed to signing it as he has doubts about the project for next year while his relationship with fans has deteriorated as well.
Amidst this, rumours of a return to Barcelona have been gaining weight constantly and it has even been reported that La Liga are already preparing a marketing campaign for the Argentina captain’s return.
And his potential comeback will play a major factor in Busquets’ renewal. As per the report, the pair could be set to team up for one more season at Barcelona before pursuing new adventures in Saudi Arabia or the MLS.
The midfielder’s decision to continue, if he does choose that option, will not be based on monetary benefits but instead on the project that Xavi is building and the possible return of Messi.
As things stand, the report states that Busquets will likely end up accepting the renewal offer as he is convinced his former teammate and close friend will be returning this summer for one last dance.
