Sergi Roberto’s agent confirms Barcelona contract talks are on hold

Sergi Roberto’s agent has confirmed reports that a new Barcelona contract for the 29-year-old has been put on hold but reckons talks could start up again.

Speculation had claimed Roberto was set to follow in the footsteps of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba in penning a new deal with a wage reduction.

Roberto is into the final year of his current contract and Barcelona were thought to be willing to offer a new two-year extension but it’s all off for now.

The player’s agent, Josep Maria Orobitg told Mundo Deportivo that “everything is stopped” but added “it can be restarted at any time.”

Cadena Cope had already reported over the weekend that talks over Roberto’s contract had ground to a halt and reckon no date has been set for any future meetings.

All of which means that, as things stands, Roberto will be free to talk to any clubs from January 1 and could potentially leave for free next summer.

Of course it’s not clear if that will happen. There have been a few whispers of interest in Roberto over the last 12 months but it’s always seemed he wants to stay at Barca.

The 29-year-old has not had the easiest time at the Camp Nou recently though. Last season was disrupted by injury and illness and he was whistled by supporters during the defeat to Bayern Munich.