Sergi Roberto's future with Barcelona in doubt

This news comes as a shock, especially following Flick's recent press conference where he bluntly addressed Roberto's situation, stating, "He is not a Barca player at the moment," without further explanation.

President Joan Laporta was present during Flick's statement but chose not to comment.

Roberto, a veteran of 14 seasons with Barcelona and their last captain, now faces an uncertain future.

Despite his long tenure, he was not prioritised under Flick's strategic vision, with the manager favouring different types of players for the midfield and right-back positions.

Flick's responses, while minimal, were respectful toward Roberto and the club's decisions.

This situation marks a significant change, particularly as former coach Xavi had been keen on keeping Roberto, and Barcelona had pushed for his contract renewal.

However, following Xavi's departure, the club offered Roberto a reduced contract to comply with 'fair play' regulations.

The indication that Roberto was not a priority led to Barcelona setting a deadline of August 10 for finalising a deal, suggesting he could seek another team if terms were not agreed upon.

As his time at Barcelona seemed to be drawing to a close, Roberto began exploring opportunities in the Premier League and other leagues.

The lack of updates from the club has prompted Roberto and his agents to seek new opportunities, signalling a broader transformation within Barcelona's structure and strategy.