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Barcelona to extend Bernal and Espart as Raphinha talks progress

·By Carlos Volcano
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Barcelona to extend Bernal and Espart as Raphinha talks progress

Barcelona/X.com

Barcelona are set to extend the contracts of Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, sporting director Deco announced, with Raphinha's own renewal also progressing well.

Barcelona's sporting director revealed the news at the club's general assembly on Saturday, saying the renewals for the two academy graduates were already being drawn up and would be signed soon, while Raphinha's is further behind but no less certain to happen.

All three will stay at the club, according to Mundo Deportivo, which covered the assembly.

Bernal, 19, will extend his contract to June 2031, and Espart, also 19, will extend to 2030. Both deals are described as close to completion, with contracts already being drafted, and Deco said there is no fixed date for the signings but that they will not be delayed.

Bernal's new deal comes with improved financial terms that reflect his emergence as a key figure in Barcelona's midfield, while Espart, a versatile full-back who joined the previous contract only last year, will also see his terms and release clause updated to match his new standing under Hansi Flick.

Raphinha's extension is progressing more slowly. Deco said talks took a significant step forward over the past week, and that there is complete agreement between the two sides on continuing together, but the contract itself, which would run to June 2030, is not yet in the drafting stage. The Brazilian has scored 11 goals in seven appearances in all competitions this season and had already said in an interview with RAC1 that he wanted to extend beyond his current deal, which runs to 2028.

The club's next priority is Gerard Martín. Deco said work on the left-back's renewal is at an earlier stage, but that the sporting department plans to push it forward significantly in the coming weeks. Martín, who has become first-choice at left-back this season, is under contract until June 2028.

The three renewals fit a pattern Barcelona have followed closely since Deco took over as sporting director, prioritising academy graduates alongside the club's established stars. Bernal has recovered from a long-term knee injury to become first alternate to Pedri and Rodri in central midfield, while Espart has established himself as one of the surprises of the season, both part of the 2007-born generation that also includes Pau Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal.