Sergi Roberto confirms negotiations over new Barcelona deal are 'on the right track'

Sergi Roberto has confirmed that negotiations to commit his long-term future to Barcelona with a new deal are on the "right track".

The versatile midfielder's current contract will not expire until the summer of 2019 but the La Liga giants want to increase his current €40m (£35.2m, $47.4m) release clause in order to ward off potential suitors.

Nevertheless, Chelsea, Manchester United and Juventus were heavily linked with his services during a summer transfer window in which the Catalans lost Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain after the Brazilian triggered his €222m clause.

Mundo Deportivo reported that Jose Mourinho was also ready to meet Sergi's €40m clause to lure him to United.

Sport later added that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was keen on the Spaniard due to his ability to adapt to different roles in his 3-5-2 formation.

The 25-year-old eventually stayed at Barcelona with the club now trying to tie him to a new deal to avoid further speculation ahead of the winter window.

Recent reports in Spain claimed that during a recent meeting Sergi's agent Josep Maria Orobitg and Barcelona officials agreed to increase the players' release clause to €400m in new deal until 2022.

Yet, both parties were said to be still far away from reaching a final agreement over the salary with Sergi demanding a lucrative pay rise in accordance to the new clause and his key role in the team.

The Spaniard has now confirmed that both parties should be able to reach an agreement soon with the negotiations already on course for completion.

"The negotiations are on the right track," Sergi said during a press conference ahead of the Champions League clash with Sporting CP. "I have always said that I have been a Barca fan since I was a kid so I think both parties should be able to reach an agreement without any problem. There are always talks to be had. That is what they [his agent and Barcelona officials] are talking about in meetings but I think everything is going well under control."

Sergi has established himself as a key player for the La Liga leaders during the last two seasons while playing both at right-back and in the middle of the park.

Some have suggested that Ernesto Valverde could take also use him in the heart of the back-line with Samuel Umtiti and Javier Mascherano currently on the sidelines.

The Barcelona star says he is happy to play anywhere but he believes that Valverde has better options than him to replace Umtiti in the squad.

"With Luis Enrique I played at right back and I adapted well. I have always said I want to help the team and I want to play, if that is in midfield, I will be happy to do it," the Spaniard said.

"I've never played there [as a centre-back] before. Umtiti's absence is obviously bad for us but we've got a deep squad with people who can play in different positions and do a very good job. At the moment, I don't really see myself as a centre-back but the players that do, I'm sure they will do a very good job in that position."

Valverde's selection dilemma at the heart of his defence could worsen in January with Mascherano having asked to leave the club, according to reports.

However, the Barcelona boss said on Monday [4 December] that Mascherano is still committed to the Nou Camp club and Sergi insists that he has no idea about his teammates' intends to leave.

"No [I don't know about it]. I have read it but the truth is that I haven't spoke with Masche and I don't know his thoughts."