Barcelona agree length and buyout clause for new Sergi Roberto contract but wage talks continue

Barcelona have taken "a step closer" to agreeing a new contract with Sergi Roberto that will see his release clause rise to €400m (£353m), according to latest reports in Spain.

Roberto, a product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, has established himself as a reliable option in the first-team squad over the last three seasons, previously offering Luis Enrique and now Ernesto Valverde options both in midfield and at right-back.

With his current contract set to expire in 2019 with a relatively low release clause of €40m (£35.5m), the 25-year-old was linked with moves away from the Nou Camp at the end of the summer transfer window. Mundo Deportivo reported Manchester United launched a bid matching that clause for the Spain international, with both Chelsea and Manchester City also both credited with keen interest.

Roberto has made it clear however that his first priority is to remain at Barcelona, recently reassuring fans he has no intention of leaving despite the ongoing contract saga.

Catalunya Radio, via SPORT, report an update of sorts after a second meeting was held between the two parties on Monday. While there is still no final agreement, Barcelona have offered a new deal that keeps the player at the club until 2022, with a colossal buyout clause keeping him out of the clutches of any of their rivals.

A final salary agreement is still to come, however, with the versatile midfielder hoping such an exorbitant release clause calls for an increase in his salary, with Roberto feeling his current earnings no longer reflect his place in the squad.

Negotiations continue between Barcelona officials Oscar Grau and Pep Segura and Roberto's agent Josep Maria Orobitg.

Roberto's recent comments would suggest it is just a matter of time however before a deal is struck.

"Barça is the club of my life and I want to stay here forever. So it is clear that nobody should suffer about my renewal. I am in the best club in the world and I was lucky to be promoted from the youth team to the first-team," Roberto was quoted as saying by Sport nine days ago.

"I never stopped working to help the first-team and now I am happy to be established. It has not been easy."