The SURPRISE issue delaying Barcelona's mega Cubarsi contract

Tom Weber

• Updated: 29 Apr 2024 19:29 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are in the final stages of talks over a new contract for Pau Cubarsi, but a disagreement over the length of the deal is causing a delay.

The teenager's rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular in recent months. Cubarsi seemingly came out of nowhere and quickly established himself as one of the most important players in Barcelona's side.

The 17-year-old's defensive nous and eye-catching passing range have made him one of Europe's most promising centre-backs, while his current release clause of less than €10 million has also made him one of the continent's most sought-after commodities.

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Barcelona, of course, have been scrambling to rectify the situation by offering the prodigy a new deal and talks have progressed swiftly. The youngster is expected to agree to fresh terms shortly despite reported interest from pretty much every big-name club around Europe, including from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd.

Cubarsi's new mega deal

Despite talks seemingly being on the verge of achieving a breakthrough, Mundo Deportivo reports that there has been one point of contention that has held up the negotiations.

It seems a trifling issue but it is claimed that Barcelona want to tie Cubarsi down for six years while the player himself would prefer a five-year deal and this disagreement has proved a bit of a stumbling block. However, the Spanish outlet asserts that this won't jeopardise the defender's extension.

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Following the 'Lamine Yamal Formula,' Cubarsi will verbally agree to this new contract and it will become official when he turns 18 in January as he will then be legally permitted to sign on for more than three years.

The youngster is expected to receive a sizeable pay rise - which could yet cause issues with Barcelona's precarious Financial Fair Play situation - and the club want to fit him with a €1 billion release clause, though it seems this is also not yet finalised. An agreement, however, is expected to be reached imminently.