FC Barcelona have announced that Sergi Roberto has agreed to a contract extension, quashing all transfer rumours. The deal signed keeps the Spaniard at the Camp Nou upto 2022.
In a statement, the Primera Division leaders said: “FC Barcelona and Sergi Roberto have reached an agreement on a contract renewal, which will keep the player at the Camp Nou through to 30 June 2022. His buyout clause has been set at €500m.”
The right-back signed Barcelona just aged 14 and started out as a midfielder. The departure of Dani Alves two summers ago forced him to right-back- a position where he has revolutionized himself.
Roberto’s initial struggle came through:
https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/954294609601015808
Roberto seemed to struggle with the weight of expectation during his early days in the Barca first-team squad. He was a promising player among the youth teams and was also compared with compatriot Iniesta for his style of play.
But once into the senior squad, he rarely looked like becoming anything more than a rotation option and hardly started any games.
But now, despite the purchases of Nelson Semedo and Alexi Vidal, who appears set for the exit door this month, he has been the first choice right back.
The 25-year old continues to hold his place in the team with impressive performances every time out. Roberto has played 15 of Barca’s 19 La Liga games this season, with Ernesto Valverde’s men well on track to lift the title.
Roberto’s development has now been rewarded with a new long-term contract:
✍ @SergiRoberto10 extends his contract at @FCBarcelona until 2⃣0⃣2⃣2⃣! pic.twitter.com/mDhkYe0KAV
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) January 19, 2018
The release clause inserted into his contract will stand at €500m. This is the same figure as Gerard Pique, who also agreed to a new deal until 2022.
Manchester United had been linked with the versatile Spain international, who look for a backup to ageing captain Valencia. Chelsea was also reportedly considering a move for him, should their pursuit of Alex Sandro fail.
