OFFICIAL: Barcelona confirm first 23/24 exit

FC Barcelona have now officially announced their first big player exit ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Club captain Sergio Busquets has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the current campaign after 15 glittering seasons at the Camp Nou. 

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The veteran midfielder is one of the Barca's most successful players in history, having won 31 trophies to date, and is also closing in on an imminent 32nd title as the Blaugrana look poised to win the 2022/23 LaLiga crown.

Currently third on the club's all-time appearances list behind only Lionel Messi and manager Xavi Hernandez, the 34-year-old announced his decision via a video posted on the club's official social media platforms.

With his contract expiring at the end of June, Busquets was offered a new deal by Barca but signing it would have meant accepting a 70% pay cut, according to the Daily Mail. 

The report also claims that he is now likely to join Al Hilal, further fuelling speculation he is set to reunite with former teammate Messi in Saudi Arabia, although the latter's father Jorge Messi has denied reports of such an agreement being in place. 

It is also claimed that Busquets' decision to leave Barca was delayed due to him holding out to see if LaLiga would allow the Catalan giants to re-sign the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, with the two players believed to have a pact to play at least one more season together as professionals.

The 143-time Spain international is reportedly sitting on an offer of €15 million (R307 million) per season from the Riyadh club, which is reported to be tax-free.

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