MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 17:25:24| >> :60:2948:2948:

Hansi Flick confirms ex-Barcelona star 'unlikely' to return to Camp Nou

Ex-Barcelona star 'unlikely' to return to Camp Nou
© Imago
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick reveals that former club captain Sergi Roberto's time at Camp Nou is likely to come to an end this summer.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has revealed that former club captain Sergi Roberto's time at Camp Nou has likely come to an end this summer.

The 32-year-old midfielder has spent almost two decades with Barcelona since joining the youth academy in 2006 from Gimnastic de Tarragona.

Roberto represented Blaugrana from the Under-16s to Under-19s levels before breaking into the senior side in 2012.

Since then, he has gone on to make a total of 479 appearances for the Catalans and scored 26 goals while providing 46 assists across all competitions.

The Spanish international was handed the captain's armband at the start of the 2023-24 season after Sergio Busquets departed Camp Nou to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick on May 11, 2024© Imago

Flick confirms Sergi Roberto is not a part of Barca's future plans

Addressing the media on Thursday, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick provided a straightforward response to questions regarding the future of the 32-year-old central midfielder.

"Sergi is not a player in Barcelona now," Flick said, as reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Roberto's contract with the club expired last month and Flick's blunt response seems to suggest that he has no interest in bringing the 32-year-old back to the Nou Camp ahead of the new season.

The German manager also provided updates on the fitness of Ansu Fati and speculation over a move for Euro 2024 star Neco Williams.

"Fati was training well and appeared well." Great, I was very happy with him now he is injured but we will definitely wait for him to come back stronger."

Regarding signing Williams: "He is not our player, Neco Williams, is under contract with another club and I cannot say anything else."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta pictured on April 20, 2024© Reuters

What's next for Sergi Roberto?

While Roberto's time in Barcelona may have come to an end, reports suggest that the Spaniard could be on his way to the Premier League by the end of this summer.

The Mirror report that Arsenal have made contact with the 32-year-old regarding a potential move to the Emirates Stadium, while Aston Villa and West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the player.

The Gunners are believed to be actively looking for a suitable option to partner Declan Rice in the heart of their midfield next season.

It is also understood that Ajax have signalled their interest in offering the veteran midfielder an opportunity to continue the next chapter of his career in the Eredivisie.

ID:548995:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5493:
Written by
Devesh Jaganath

Click here for more stories about Hansi Flick

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta speaks during the board meeting on September 13, 2023
Read Next:
Laporta issues Chelsea, Liverpool warning with Williams Barcelona claim
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!