Sergi Roberto rejects €15M offer from Saudi club

The versatile player has been named captain of Barcelona this season

Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto has reportedly declined a hefty contract offer from Saudi Arabia. The versatile player wants to continue with the Catalan giants.

According to David Bernabeu Reverter of SPORT, the Middle Eastern organisation was willing to spend €15 million to sign him. The proposition has been rejected by the veteran star because he now has no interest in leaving his old team.

At the urging of manager Xavi Hernandez, Roberto renewed his contract with Barcelona earlier this year, receiving a one-year extension through 2024.

The experienced defender’s versatility had been important to the Spanish strategist in securing his captain’s extension the previous season.

Sergi Roberto may not be a frequent player for Barça anymore, but Xavi still values the La Masia grad for his versatility at right-back in addition to midfield and his influence in the team’s locker room.

This season, Roberto replaced Sergi Busquets and Jordi Alba as the first captains of Barça after both players left to join Inter Miami.

Trending World Football Articles:

• Top five most valuable squads in football
• Top 10 players with biggest rating upgrade in EA FC 24
• Ranking the favourites to win Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023
• Top five favourites to win Serie A 2023-24 based on odds
• Top 10 footballers who were banned for doping

The 31-year-old Spanish star does not want to pass up the chance to serve as the team’s captain, and his game time could be limited.

As a result, despite Saudi Arabia’s willingness to pay Roberto €15 million to join them, Roberto has decided against doing so for both competitive and private reasons.

On the contrary, the 31-year-old, who just reached 350 matches for the La Liga champions, wants to finish the remainder of the season under contract with the organisation.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen could have had the opportunity to be promoted to the most senior position on the pitch, though, had the 31-year-old accepted a proposal from the Saudi Pro League.

Sergi Roberto apparently had “total freedom” from Barca to hear what the Saudis had to say, but he declined, stating that he preferred to complete the remainder of his contract, which finishes in the summer of 2024.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and join our community on Telegram.