Barcelona in a rush to to know Busquets' plans for the 2023-24 season

Barcelona in a rush to to know Busquets' plans for the 2023-24 season

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The Catalan club would like him to stay but the decision will be left in his hands

The renewal of Sergio Busquets has become a matter of state at Barça. Just a few months ago, the issue was much more open and there was even a certain tendency to assume that the club captain would leave in a decision that could be in the interest of both parties. Now, though, the club are working on keeping him for one more season. 

And the reasons are clear: the salary limit is tight and the investment capacity this summer may be nil, so it is advisable to maintain talent by reducing salaries to a point that can be acceptable for the player. Busquets will have a renewal offer soon and it will be for one year, without an exit clause in case he wishes to leave in January and with a salary that will be a far cry from what he currently receives. It will still be a more than worthy offer, though, and one that will not differ much economically from what he could receive from any MLS team, a league that has capped salaries.

Barça will give Busquets the option to choose because he has earned it, but what they will not give him is a lot of time. Firstly, to avoid interference in terms of offers from other countries, sich as Saudi Arabia, and, secondly, because if he decides to leave, the club is obliged to look for a replacement on the market and it seems that they will only be able to opt for cheap or free options. 

And there, Barça have found that it would be much more profitable to keep Busquets because of the millions that players like Kanté and Gundogan, who are in the pipeline, are asking for. Very high salaries that Barça will find it difficult to give because of the asphyxiating pressure that LaLiga is putting on the club.

Barça are convinced that Busquets can stay, even if it is only for one year. He is an undisputed starter, his relationship with Xavi Hernández is very good and now he plays with much more support in midfield so he is not exposed as much as before. It is true that he could be attracted by a change of scenery, but the fact that he wants to listen and study the Blaugrana's proposal is already a first step.

This formula has already worked out well for Barça with the renewal of Sergi Roberto, but the scenario is much more open with Busquets. He is not saying anything, even within the dressing room, while his camp continues to work to find proposals for him to consider. As of today, Barça are in pole position, but nothing can be ruled out. If he leaves, Mateu Alemany will have to activate plan B in a matter of weeks.

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