Josep Maria Orobitg has told Mundo Deportivo that Joan Laporta’s claims Barcelona have offered Arsenal transfer target Sergi Roberto several contracts ‘do not conform to reality’.
Roberto is now in the final three months of his existing terms at the Camp Nou and is no closer to penning an extension. Orobitg has sought to hold talks with Barcelona president Laporta over the situation. But the agent claims they have not met at all since September.
Orobitg and Laporta held a face-to-face meeting on September 9, which failed to result in an agreement on personal terms. However, Laporta told Mundo Deportivo last week that further summits occurred. Yet Roberto refused to accept the terms his La Liga side offered.
“At the moment, this is in the hands of the representatives,” Laporta stated. “Sergi Roberto is a player that we have a lot of appreciation for, I personally have for him. He has given many years of glory, and a lot of football to Barca. Now, he is recovering from an injury.
“The renewal was offered at the time, I even intervened so that they were conditions in consensus with the two parties, and they did not want to sign that renewal. We, therefore, understand that since they did not want to sign and now the contract ends.”
Arsenal monitoring Roberto situation at Barcelona ahead of transfer window
Arsenal are monitoring Roberto’s situation at Barcelona and Orobitg’s talks with Laporta over a new contract ahead of the transfer window, per ARA. Mikel Arteta is keeping tabs on the 30-year-old as he looks to add more depth at full-back behind Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Roberto can also offer an option in midfield, but has not featured in any competition since October. He sustained a rectus femoris muscle injury in his right thigh after 12 games in all competitions for two goals and one assist so far this season, all under Ronald Koeman.
Laporta’s claims on Roberto contract ‘do not conform to reality’, Orobitg claims
Xavi Hernandez would like Barcelona to retain Roberto with a new contract, amid transfer interest from clubs like Arsenal. But Orobitg slams Laporta’s claims that the Blaugrana are making attempts to reach an agreement as his recent claims ‘do not conform to reality’.
“In August, there was a very low counteroffer from the club,” Orobitg claimed. “They later sent us documentation that had nothing to do with what was discussed [in the September meeting]. It was nothing like what he was told.”
Orobitg adds the August proposal ‘is the only one they sent’ and that the Blaugrana ‘again and again’ refused meetings. Additionally, he claims Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany met his attempts to schedule further talks by saying Laporta is handling all talks.
Roberto’s agent now wants Barcelona to resolve his situation quickly so that he can pursue a summer transfer or not. Xavi has already stated his desire for the Spaniard to stay at the Camp Nou. But the coach will not entangle himself in Laporta and Orobitg’s negotiations.
“He has said it publicly at a press conference and also to the player himself and to the club, to Alemany and [the vice-president Rafael] Yuste,” Orobitg adds. “But I understand that he does not want to get involved in financial matters. It’s not their job.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
