Barcelona Eager To Renew Key Contracts

Rather than look towards the shopping window, Barcelona's immediate priority in the transfer window is securing contract extensions for more of their key players.

Having already secured the long term futures of Xavi and Sergi Busquets in recent times, not to mention Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta last season, sporting director Txiki Begiristain is now keen to proceed along similar lines with Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez and Samuel Eto'o.

The Blaugrana see these players as part of the spine of the team, and as their contracts expire in June 2010, they are eager to see them put pen to paper on new ones. While in principle there should not be too much of a problem, each case presents unique challenges.

At 26, Barcelona see Victor Valdes as their long term goalkeeper, an attitude that is reflected in his current buy-out clause of €100 million. However, it is understood that the keeper harbours ambitions of a considerably higher salary, and can use the fact that there is no serious competition for his place at the club as a bargaining chip.

Samuel Eto'o is also one for the future, given that he is just 27 years of age, but his situation appears to be the most complicated. First of all, the Cameroonian has indicated that he is not interested in contract talks until the team has run its course in all three competitions. Furthermore, some hard feelings may still linger from the summer, when he was told to pack his bags by the club. What is certain is that there are plenty of European clubs waiting to pounce on any opportunity to sign him.

Rafael Marquez is closing in on 30, and as such is unlikely to be seeking a big money move. In any case, Pep Guardiola regards him as a key figure in organizing the defence, so a slight salary increase may well be in order.

Finally, the club should have no problem in securing the future of club captain Carles Puyol, who has stated his intention to finish his career at the Camp Nou on several occasions. That said, he will still be expecting an improved offer, in light of his years of dedicated service to the club.

Arjun Miglani


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