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Barcelona's Sergio Busquets 'tempted by MLS move'

Sergio Busquets 'tempted by MLS move'
© Reuters
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is reportedly tempted by the idea of a move to MLS when his contract at Camp Nou expires in the summer.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is reportedly tempted by the prospect of moving to an MLS side in 2023.

The 34-year-old has entered the final season of his contract at Camp Nou and is increasingly likely to leave the Catalan giants as a free agent next summer.

Busquets has captained the Blaugrana XI under Xavi this term and has remained an integral player despite his advancing years, starting four out of six La Liga games so far.

However, Gavi and Pedri have both emerged to become regular starters for Barcelona, while Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie also represent more youthful options.

As a result, Busquets's trophy-laden career with Barcelona could soon come to an end, but he is expected to honour his contract with Xavi's side before pondering his next career move.

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets pictured in July 2021© Reuters

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Spain international is on the radar of several MLS clubs, with Inter Miami in particular pushing to secure his signature.

Romano adds that Busquets could be open to the idea of a move to the United States for his swansong, and MLS teams have been attempting to prise him away from Barcelona for over a year now.

Busquets is still thought to be held in high regard by Xavi, whom he shared a dressing room with as a player for several years after initially joining the Barcelona academy from Jabac in 2005.

Since breaking into the first team, Busquets has amassed 18 goals and 43 assists from 685 games in all competitions, sitting third in the club's all-time appearance list behind Lionel Messi (778) and Xavi (767).

The veteran Spaniard has won a total of 32 major honours during his time at Camp Nou, including eight La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups.

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on May 1, 2022© Reuters

Barcelona are apparently preparing for Busquets's eventual departure by drawing up a list of potential successors, and a number of names have been linked with moves in recent days.

Wolverhampton Wanderers lynchpin Ruben Neves and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi are both understood to be on Barcelona's radar, as is Rennes' Lovro Majer.

Twenty-four-year old Majer has primarily operated as a number 10 during his time in Ligue 1, but Barcelona supposedly feel that he can still come good as a replacement for Busquets.

A fee of €60m (£52.4m) may be required to prise Majer away from Roazhon Park, and Barcelona are also said to have distanced themselves from links with Chelsea's Jorginho, who is out of contract next summer alongside Busquets.

Barcelona return to action following the international break with a trip to Mallorca on October 1 before travelling to San Siro to meet Inter Milan in the Champions League three days later.

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Lovro Majer in action for Rennes on September 15, 2022
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad341412848351354
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


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