Barcelona director announces imminent renewals for Raphinha, Espart and Marc Bernal: ‘We have agreed’

FC Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed that the club are set to extend the contracts of Raphinha, Xavi Espart and Marc Bernal.

Speaking at Barcelona’s General Assembly today, the former Portugal international announced that the club had made substantial progress in securing the progress of the three players.

Raphinha to remain at Barcelona until 2029

Deco began by confirming that Raphinha’s renewal is effectively agreed, with the Brazilian set to extend his current contract by two more seasons.

“It has been progressing since yesterday. We have agreed that he will stay until 2030,” he said, as quoted by SPORT.

New deal agreed. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

The new agreement will keep the Barcelona captain at the club for two additional years beyond his current deal, which expires in 2028.

Deco also confirmed that negotiations over new contracts for Espart and Bernal are well advanced.

Espart’s current contract runs until 30 June 2028, while Bernal is tied to Barcelona until 2029.

Both contract extensions, which have already been agreed in principle, will continue to be negotiated over the coming days, but everything is well on track. The full-back will extend his contract until 2030, whilst the midfielder will do so until 2031.

Deco praises Rashford and Lewandowski

The sporting director also had positive words for two players who have left Barcelona this summer: Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski.

“Rashford gave us a spectacular level of performance last season, while Lewandowski is a club legend and the best striker of the last 15 years,” he said.

Espart will also sign a new contract. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Deco also addressed Barcelona’s strategy when it comes to players developed at La Masia, explaining why the club cannot keep every academy graduate despite their ambition to reach the first team.

“Every young player dreams of playing for the club, but they can’t all fit in. We have rights over them so that we can maintain control,” he said.

Barcelona have generated significant income through the sales of academy graduates while retaining various rights over some of those players.

Deco also highlighted the overall market value of the squad, which he put at €1.26 billion.

Of that figure, €583 million is attributed to players who have been developed through La Masia, underlining the financial value Barcelona place on their academy system.

Deco also presented his sporting report to the members and stressed that the team’s success on the pitch is the result of deliberate work behind the scenes.

“What happens on the pitch does not happen by chance,” he stated.