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"I hope he renews" - Xavi desperate for 32-year-old to pen new Barcelona deal

© Reuters
Barcelona head coach Xavi hopes that Sergi Roberto will sign a new contract at Camp Nou, with his existing terms due to expire at the end of June.

Barcelona head coach Xavi is hopeful that Sergi Roberto will sign a new contract at Camp Nou.

The 32-year-old's existing deal with the Catalan giants is due to expire at the end of June, and there remains speculation surrounding his future, with a departure thought to be possible.

However, Xavi has said that he 'wants Roberto to renew his contract', with a one-year extension thought to be on the table for the Spaniard.

"I want him to renew his contract, and it depends on him. He knows my position. He can help us a lot. I hope he renews," Xavi told reporters during his press conference on Sunday.

Roberto has struggled with injury problems during the 2023-24 campaign, which have restricted him to just 19 appearances in all competitions, while he has played just nine times in La Liga this term.

FC Barcelona's Sergi Roberto celebrates scoring their second goal on December 20, 2023© Reuters

Xavi wants Sergi Roberto to sign a new deal at Barcelona

The midfielder has been with Barcelona since 2006, progressing to the first team in 2010, and he has represented the club on 368 occasions in all competitions.

Girona, who are currently second in the La Liga table and preparing for Champions League football next season, are believed to be the favourites to sign Roberto on a free transfer.

However, Xavi remains hopeful that the Spaniard will renew, and he is expected to be involved in Monday's league clash against Valencia at Mestalla, where the Catalan outfit will be aiming to recover from successive losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

"We are fine, we want second place. We must achieve second place to be in the Spanish Super Cup. Valencia under [Ruben] Baraja is a good opponent, and Baraja did a great job. It will be a difficult match," Xavi told reporters ahead of the clash with Valencia.

Barcelona coach Xavi before the match on December 10, 2023© Reuters

Xavi says Barcelona are determined to secure second in La Liga

"I saw the team was very committed. We had time to train more. The team is excited to win tomorrow and end the season well. I am excited to continue another season."

Barcelona will take on Girona in the league next weekend, but Xavi has said that the team are not currently thinking about the Catalan derby.

"The most important thing is tomorrow, then we will think about Girona. They are a direct competitor, I already said that in the first leg," he added.

"There is a minimum, which is to qualify for the Champions League and the other is to qualify for the Super Cup."

Barcelona can still mathematically win the La Liga title, but they are 14 points behind the leaders Real Madrid, who recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Friday night.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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