There's less than a month left on the contracts of Leo Messi and some really promising Barcelona B starlets. Let's take a look at their contract situation and predict their future.
Leo Messi
The Argentine is expected to receive Barca's first formal contract offer in the next two weeks. It's possible that Messi will extend his deal right before his current contract expires, i.e. at the end of June.
It's very unlikely that Messi ends up leaving Barcelona and we all wait for the 33-year-old to commit his future to Blaugrana.
Riqui Puig
In May, it was reported that Puig already extended his contract. The problem is Barcelona haven't confirmed it yet.
Everything indicates that the 21-year-old will stay and will even get more first-team chances next season. Laporta likes him, Koeman doesn't want him out any more – the future is bright.
Oriol Busquets
One of the academy's brightest talents is more likely to sign a new deal with Blaugrana than to leave the club, as per Mundo Deportivo.
However, it's worth a mention that the 22-year-old spent most of the season on the sidelines and didn't impress much when he was on the pitch. Barca could take his latest performances into account before making the final decision on his future.
Jandro Orellana
Unlike Oriol, Jandro has had a decent campaign with Barca B and is even considered Sergio Busquets' future successor by many.
Barcelona are expected to trigger an option of a 2-year extension and maybe even give Jandro a first-team chance.
Roger Riera
The centre-back, who's already 26, was brought back to Barcelona B to help them achieve Segunda promotion. Despite his immense contribution, Garcia Pimienta's side failed to reach the Spanish second-tier and there are no big updates on Riera's future.
It's quite possible that the experienced player will have to find a new destination in the summer.
Gerard Fernandez (Peque)
The forward, who usually plays as a left winger, joined the club in 2020 but hasn't scored a lot since then: just 3 goals in 20 appearances for Pimienta's team.
However, one important thing is that Peque is just 18 and could've played for Barcelona U19 if not for his impressive performances with Juvenil A.
No updates on his future yet but we feel the club will decide in favour of keeping him.
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6 'attractive' squad numbers Barca could offer to potential newcomers
With the summer transfer window around the corner, let's take a look at Barcelona's 'available' shirt numbers and those that may soon be free following the departures of some players.
Available numbers
Number 6
Previously worn by: Carles Alena.
Who could wear it in 2021/22: Riqui Puig, Pedri, Nico Gonzalez.
It's high time to give the number 6 to a big player, isn't it? This jersey number was earlier carried by players like Xavi, Ronald de Boer and Dani Alves.
It also makes sense to gift it to a midfielder. Both Pedri and Riqui Puig may be considered Xavi successors in some way so I'd personally go with these options.
Set to be available
Number 8
Currently worn by: Miralem Pjanic (likely to leave).
Who could wear it in 2021/22: Riqui Puig, Pedri, a new signing like Gundogan.
Once worn by Andres Iniesta, the number 8 should belong to one of the team's key players. In our opinion, handing it to either Puig or Pedri makes perfect sense due to their position and style of play.
If Georginio Wijnaldum joined Barca, he would possibly take this number. Blaugrana still consider signing a world-class midfielder, though, and it may be given to a star newcomer.
Number 9
Currently worn by: Martin Braithwaite (likely to leave).
Who could wear it in 2021/22: Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Ansu Fati.
The club's decision to give the number 9 to Martin Braithwaite was sensational. Given the No. 10 is tightly occupied by Leo Messi, it's possible that either Aguero or Depay will be wearing it next season.
Number 13
Currently worn by: Neto (likely to leave).
Who could wear it in 2021/22: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Inaki Pena.
If our interest in signing the Italian wonderkid is strong indeed, he could take the No. 13. Otherwise, it could go to Inaki Pena who could really become Marc-Andre ter Stegen's substitute next term.
Number 14
Currently worn by: Philippe Coutinho (likely to leave).
Who could wear it in 2021/22: Emerson, Eric Garcia.
Despite sticking to No. 22 at Betis, Emerson used to wear No. 14 on two occasions: at Ponte Preta in the 2016/17 season and at Atletico Mineiro in 2017/18.
If it's not for Emerson, this shirt could go to almost anyone else. It doesn't have its 'natural' position as it was earlier worn by players like Javier Mascherano, Jordi Cruyff and Thierry Henry.
Number 20
Currently worn by: Sergi Roberto (likely to leave).
Who could wear it in 2021/22: Nico Gonzalez, Eric Garcia.
The promising youngster is wearing the number at Barcelona B and could keep it if his pre-season spell with the first team ends well.
Earlier, the shirt was worn by such stars as Miguel Angel Nadal, Deco and Dani Alves.
What jersey number is Aguero going to get? You asked, we answered
Sergio Aguero has been presented as a new Barcelona signing but he still has no jersey number. This is only normal since the squad for the 2021/22 season hasn't been determined yet. However, the cules are already curious about what number the 32-year-old is going to wear at Camp Nou.
Although no one can tell for sure, we can at least try to predict, so here's our best guess. But before that, we should mention what numbers Sergio wore in the past.
As per Transfermarkt, Aguero wore the no. 10 at Independiente, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City. He also wore the no.16 at Man City for four seasons.
At the national team, the striker's jersey number varied throughout the year, with him wearing 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 19, and 20.
In our opinion, there are two possible scenarios, and it's going to depend on Martin Braithwaite.
