Barcelona summer midfield target could worth €90 million as part of new contract, with Busquets expected to leave.
Serginho Busquets, the captain of Barcelona, has been the subject of numerous rumors regarding his future and that of the team in recent weeks.
The 34-year-contract old’s is set to expire at the conclusion of the current campaign, at which point he is expected to join the MLS. In addition, Barça has its sights set on signing Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi as his successor.
The Barcelona coaching staff sees the 23-year-old as the perfect Busquets replacement since he has been a consistent performer at the base of the midfield for La Real over the past few years. Xavi Hernandez, the manager, apparently gave his approval as well.
Real Sociedad, however, is not prepared to give up easily because they want to keep Zubimendi at the team past the current campaign. To that goal, they have already begun contract negotiations with the Spanish star.
Current terms of the midfielder’s contract with the Basque club expire in the summer of 2025. And to sign him, any interested party would have to trigger a release clause worth €60 million.
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According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, Real Sociedad wants to raise the release clause value in the new contract they are negotiating with Zubimendi by €30 million, making it €90 million.
The 23-year-old would become one of the best-paid players at the club if he signs the new term offered, as La Real is also aiming to improve his pay dramatically.
Alexander Isak’s contract contained a release clause of €90 million, but Sociedad was able to sell him to Newcastle United this past summer for €70 million. And if Zubimendi decides to transfer while Barcelona is interested, they might try to get him to pay a comparable fee.
As of right now, it’s believed that negotiations for a new contract, which would keep him at San Sebastian through 2027, are going well. It will be fascinating to see if it prompts Barça to reevaluate their strategy for Zubimendi and refocus their goals.
