Worrying development in Ilaix Moriba contract negotiations with Barça

The 'Moriba saga' has taken an unexpected twist, with developments in recent hours rendering an agreement with FC Barcelona unlikely. Following Wedneday's meeting, and despite the fact that no ground was made up with the player's agents, the club was still optimistic of its chances of reaching an agreement with the player. However, the outlook has changed in the last few hours and the club is now less positive about its chances of getting the academy graduate to pen a new deal.

Barça officials have now decided to take a step back from discussions, as they feel that the player and his entourage are unwilling to negotiate in good faith. The club's patience is starting to wear thin. The clock is ticking and the first team squad is stepping up its preparations for the upcoming campaign. Ilaix has not joined the squad for the training camp in Germany, which means that other players now have an opportunity to stake their claim for his place in the squad.

Ilaix will not play in Barça B's fixture against La Grama on Thursday: another sign that the negotiations are not moving in the right direction. Barça feel that they have done everything they can to resolve this tense situation, and were it not for the player's reluctance to negotiate he would now be with the squad in Germany.

Ilaix's renewal now looks further away than ever before.