End of Season Departure Confirmed for Sergio Busquets by Barcelona

Barcelona have announced that their long-standing captain, Sergio Busquets, will be leaving at the end of the 2022/23 season. Despite being 34 years old, Busquets has remained one of the most dependable players in Barça's squad, and they are on the verge of winning their first La Liga title this weekend against city rivals Espanyol.

However, it seems likely that this trophy will be Busquets' last for Barcelona, as the club announced on Wednesday morning that he will be departing this summer. "It has been an honour, a draw and a source of pride to have been able to wear this badge," Busquets told the club's channels. "But everything must come to an end. It hasn't been an easy decision but the time has come. Thank you to all those people who have accompanied me on this journey, as well as [club] members and fans."

According to reports, Busquets is likely to join a club in Saudi Arabia on a lucrative contract. However, there is also interest in him from MLS outfit Inter Miami. Busquets has made a remarkable 719 appearances for Barcelona, trailing only former teammates Lionel Messi and Xavi. If Barça win La Liga, he will have won a staggering 32 major honours for his boyhood club.

Busquets' final home game for Barcelona will take place on May 28 against Mallorca, before he rounds off his career with the club away at Celta Vigo on June 4.

On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth discuss the possibility of Neymar joining Newcastle, Jude Bellingham's decision on his future, and Lionel Messi leaving PSG. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!