Sergi Roberto Going Nowhere This Summer, Insists Valverde
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Sergi Roberto is set to remain at Barcelona this season, after the club ruled out the possibility of him leaving before deadline day.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp this summer after falling down the pecking order under Ernesto Valverde, and several clubs are said to have made their interest known, should he decide to call time on his Barca career.
However, Roberto – who is a graduate of Barcelona’s esteemed academy ‘La Masia’ – has not shown any signs of being desperate to leave, and he has been reassured by Valverde that he is still a very important part of his plans.
“[Roberto] is an important player for our team. He is a player I absolutely count on,” said the Barca boss. “[Whether he starts] depends on the match. He was important last season and he will be now. He is versatile and can play in many positions.”
It was believed that Roberto was left confused and concerned as to where he would fit into the Catalan club’s plans after the club confirmed the signing of Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande for £36.4 million.
However, after Valverde’s declaration of trust, the 25-year-old will probably stay at the club for another season and see how things pan out. If he doesn’t get the game time he expects though, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he decides to call it quits next summer. For now though, Barcelona are holding on tight to one of their own.
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