Sergio Busquets 'is seriously considering signing a new deal with Barcelona' despite being linked to the MLS... with his situation 'radically changing after speaking with Xavi - who told him he is still a key player'

• e-mail

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is reportedly leaning towards signing a new deal with the club - despite fears he leave on a free and join the MLS. 

The Spaniard is currently the longest-serving player on the team and club captain but his contract expires at the end of the season - and having already announced his retirement from Spain duty following the World Cup, some figures in the club felt he could also walk out on Barcelona. 

But now the situation has 'radically changed' following talks with his manager Xavi, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona veteran Sergio Busquets is reportedly considering signing a new deal with the club

His situation has reportedly changed drastically after holding 'sincere' talks with boss Xavi 

The 34-year-old 'was practically already heading for America' to play in the MLS, the report says, but he is now 'seriously rethinking his future' following 'sincere dialogue' with the coach, who held an 'honest' conversation with him. 

Barcelona would struggle to find a like-for-like replacement for Busquets in the current market and with their difficult financial situation, it says, and if the player stays put it will mean they can prioritise other areas that need strengthening.

The chat with Xavi saw him tell Busquets he was a key player for him, something he has 'repeated thousands of times' with the veteran still showing his quality after 14 years at the club. 

In that time he's won eight LaLiga titles and the Champions League three times - with seven Copa Del Rey trophies also coming his way. 

His experience in the middle of the park has seen him widely regarded as one of the best central defensive midfielders in the world and that is still the case today. 

Busquets was told he is a still a key player for Barcelona, who would struggle to replace him

Xavi and Busquets share a 'very good relationship, according to the report, having played together in midfield as team-mates and that has gone a long way to persuading the player his near future lies in the Catalan city. 

Another factor is that his close friend Lionel Messi is set to also postpone his move to the MLS, with reports he is set to sign a new deal with PSG. 

Both players had been linked with Inter Miami - owned by David Beckham, and while Busquets would have liked to have played with Messi in Florida, he still believes he can perform at the highest level - the report goes on - and is not as attracted to the MLS if Messi is not there alongside him. 

However, it adds that he still wants to try out the MLS at some point in the future because it is a 'family and personal project' for him. 

Busquets has just returned from Qatar, where his side were stunned by Morocco in the World Cup last-16, after which he announed his retirement from international football.

Busquets (far left) shares a close relationship with Xavi (second left) after some glorious years together on the pitch

During his time with Spain, Busquets won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euros and can bow out with great memories of playing for Spain. 

'It has been an honor to represent my country and take it to the top, to be a World and European champion, to be captain and to play so many games with greater or lesser success,' Busquets wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.

'But always giving everything and contributing my grain of sand so that everything was the right way as possible and that everyone felt how important they are, helping everyone and fighting for the same goal, with unique, unforgettable and historical experiences.

'I would like to thank all the people who have accompanied me on this long journey,' Busquets said. 

Busquets has already retired from Spain duty and had been linked with a move to the MLS  

'From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy until the last second. I also thank Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro and Robert Moreno for their trust, as well as all of his staff.

'And of course to each and every one of my teammates, with whom I have struggled to try to take the team where it deserved, with more or less success but always giving everything and with the greatest of pride.

'To all the followers, for the daily support received and especially when things did not turn out as we expected. That is when you are most needed and most united you have to be.

'And of course, most importantly, my family. For supporting me at all times and in all my decisions and sharing this path while being away for many days and making me always feel close so that I could give my best.'