Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Hungary
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
United Arab Emirates

Sergio Busquets 'in advanced talks to move to Saudi Araba'

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 May 2023, 23:08
Sergio Busquets is reportedly expected to make a summer move to a Saudi Arabian club after announcing his departure from Barcelona.

The Catalan giants confirmed on Wednesday that the legendary 34-year-old will end his trophy-laden 15-year professional career at Camp Nou when his contract expires at the end of the season.

"Although it has not been an easy decision, I think the time has come," Busquets said in a social media video. "It has been an unforgettable journey. I always dreamed of playing with this shirt and at this stadium. Reality has exceeded all my dreams.

"It has been an honour, a dream, a source of pride, and it meant everything to defend and represent this badge for so many years. But everything has a beginning and an end. I want to thank all the people who made this possible, from the first day to the last.

"I wouldn't have believed you if you told me when I arrived as a youth player that I would play 15 seasons for the best club in the world, the club of my life, of which I have been, am and always will be a fan, member, player, captain, and surpass 700 matches."

Despite Barca head coach Xavi and club president Joan Laporta consistently expressing their desire to keep hold of Busquets, the Spanish midfielder will see out the latter years of his career away from Camp Nou.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Busquets is expected to move to Saudi Arabia and is already in advanced talks with a club from the Middle Eastern country.

Busquets has been tipped to potentially end his playing career in MLS, with David Beckham's Inter Miami said to be interested in his services.

However, Romano claims that the midfielder is more likely to join a club in Saudi Arabia than complete a summer switch to the United States.

A recent report from El Chiringuito states that Busquets is set to accept a two-year offer to join Al-Hilal along with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.

Messi has spent the last two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain but he is expected to leave the Parisian outfit when his contract expires at the end of the season and has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Busquets and Messi won a total of 28 trophies together at Barcelona, including eight La Liga titles and four Champions League, although the former has added to his tally this season after lifting the Spanish Super Cup in January and is also on the verge of winning a ninth Spanish top-flight title.

Despite their well-documented financial concerns, Barcelona have been linked with a number of midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window, including Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in the likes of Real Betis' Guido Rodriguez, Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Fiorentina's Sofyan Abrabat.

Show more

Top News

22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among three Premier League teams to have taken an interest in signing Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a significant boost in their efforts to sign Rayan Cherki, whom Lyon have decided to sell in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly made a final decision on whether he plans to re-integrate Marcus Rashford into his squad this summer. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United have been told to seek wisdom from darts sensation Luke Littler over how to handle high-pressure situations. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's reported capacity to purchase a new striker in the summer transfer window is in excess of £100m due to their good financial health. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will have a special Carabao Cup trophy parade next weekend after ending 70 years of hurt. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will finally get their trophy-winning party in front the Toon Army. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are set to be active during this summer's transfer window, as the recently-appointed Ruben Amorim looks to bring in players capable of thriving in his 3-4-3 system. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate reportedly has no release clause in his current contract amidst interest from Real Madrid in his signature. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are facing a centre-back crisis for their La Liga match against Osasuna next week, with Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen potentially all missing the rescheduled fixture. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Another consolation silver medal is waiting for Arsenal at the 2024-25 Premier League finish line, as Mikel Arteta and co bemoan injuries, suspensions and fatal - yet avoidable - transfer mistakes. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly begun initial talks with Napoli over the possible transfer of Rasmus Hojlund to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are expected to move for at least one central midfielder during this summer's transfer window. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Twelve years may have passed, but Franck Ribery is still not over his 2013 Ballon d'Or snub. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are not familiar with quiet summer transfer windows and as it stands, there's no sign of bucking the trend in 2025. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Walsall boss Mat Sadler claimed the decision not to request a postponement this afternoon was 'out of' the club's hands. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona would reportedly be willing to let Raphinha leave during this summer's transfer window if an offer of €120m (£101m) were to arrive, with Manchester United said to be keen to sign the attacker. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Suggestions that Liverpool's season would be disappointing if they only win the Premier League title are ludicrous, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has apparently emerged as a potential transfer target for AC Milan, who took Joao Felix off of the Blues' hands in the January transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have joined the ever-growing list of clubs interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has delivered an update on his head injury after the 32-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Brazil squad earlier this week. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Albania and Andorra, both aiming to bounce back from defeats on matchday one of the UEFA FIFA World Cup qualifiers, will face off on Monday in a matchday two clash in Group K. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Andrey Santos has revealed that he is yet to receive any direct contact from Chelsea regarding his plans for 2025-26. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal defender Ben White will likely be a shoo-in for the next England squad and should be considered for a start against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Gunners expert Charles Watts has claimed. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England head coach Thomas Tuchel could make an abundance of alterations for his second game in charge of the Three Lions, which comes against Latvia on Monday evening at Wembley. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In what is already a top-of-the-table clash in Group K of UEFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying, England and Latvia lock horns at Wembley Stadium on Monday evening. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have reportedly retained an interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Nottingham Forest are plotting a club record move for Matheus Cunha if they qualify for the Champions League, talkSPORT understands. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After scraping through their first World Cup qualifier with a late goal from their inspirational skipper, Poland host Group G minnows Malta on Monday.