Barcelona Rumors: Laporta To Secure New Deal For 'New Xavi'

KEY POINTS

Barcelona has triggered a clause to extend Riqui Puig's contract
Puig will discuss further details with Barca president Joan Laporta
The midfielder has been dubbed as the "New Xavi Hernandez"

A midfielder drawing comparisons to Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez looks set to stay at Camp Nou for a longer period of time.

Barcelona youngster Riqui Puig has yet to make his mark on the team, but his future at Camp Nou seems to be already secured.

The Catalan club has activated a clause in Puig’s contract, which will extend his current deal until June 2023, according to renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

The former Barcelona B star will discuss further details of his contract extension with the Barca president Joan Laporta once the club is done dealing with “the manager situation,” the report added.

“Barcelona has officially triggered Riqui Puig’s clause to extend his contract until June 2023,” Romano tweeted. “Riqui wants to stay at Barça after the club turned down two loan proposals in January. He’s gonna talk about it with Joan Laporta once the manager situation is decided.”

Despite only playing in 18 games for Barcelona this season, Puig is one of the club’s most highly-regarded players.

In fact, he has even been likened to Barca's all-time great Xavi in the past.

If the report is to be accurate, this could mean that Puig would have to wait until Barcelona has finally made a decision about current club boss Ronald Koeman.

Barcelona's front office is reportedly considering firing Koeman following a number of underwhelming performances this season.

Joan Laporta was the clear winner of the Barcelona presidential elections on Sunday. AFP / LLUIS GENE

While nothing is concrete yet at this point, Laporta has confirmed that changes will definitely be made in Barca this summer.

“As of next week, we will make decisions,” Laporta told CAT Radio’s Tot Costa program. We have to have a competitive team with which we can aspire to win the Champions League and La Liga. When I talk about the end of the cycle and renewals it is because I think so.”

“We won the Copa del Rey, and we’re proud of that, but we were knocked out of the Champions League early and La Liga was lost incomprehensibly,” the president added.

Koeman, on the other hand, admitted that he is not sure about what is bound to happen in the future.

“I don’t know if I will continue, really,” Koeman said ahead of Barca’s game against Eibar. “I spoke with the president two weeks ago and we agreed to talk at the end of the season. We will see because I have always said that I want to continue and fulfill my contract.”