Following Gerard Pique’s sudden retirement before the start of the 2022 World Cup, Barcelona are left with just Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Sergi Roberto as the last of the golden generation.
Alba has made it clear that he has no intention to leave the club anytime soon, but the other two face an uncertain future – in opposing contexts, though.
Busquets, in the final six odd months of his contract, seems to be hell-bent on leaving even though Barcelona want him to continue for another year.
In fact, there have been reports recently suggesting that he wants to join Inter Miami as early as January itself, and has informed the club about the same.
According to the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, though, Busi is expected to complete the current season at Barcelona. There is ‘no plan’ to let him leave in January
The Barça captain will take the final decision on his future in the coming months, with Miami looking as his inevitable next destination. They have already made an official bid for him, and are fighting none other than Barcelona themselves for his signature.
Xavi is the leading force hoping to convince Busquets to renew his contract, as there is no direct replacement for him at the club.
Frenkie de Jong has been used in that role a fair few times – to varying degrees of success – but the coaching staff seems to prefer the Dutchman in a more advanced position.
In terms of replacements, the garnet and blue are looking at the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. The former becomes a free agent in the summer of 2024, while the latter has recently signed a new five-year extension.
Names such as Boca Juniors’ Alan Varela and Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez have come up as well, but each with their own problems — inexperience in the case of the former, price tag for the latter.
As for Busquets, Camp Nou will likely see the last of the legendary midfielder in the coming months. Still on top of the table, they can possibly bid him farewell with their first La Liga title in four years.