Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff has said that Sergio Busquets "has the right to decide" whether he will sign a new contract with the Catalan giants.

The 34-year-old has been in the Barcelona first team since 2008, making 696 appearances for the club, contributing 18 goals and 42 assists in the process.

Busquets has again been a vital player for the La Liga outfit this term, featuring on 16 occasions in all competitions, while he captained Spain at the 2022 World Cup.

The midfielder's deal is due to expire at the end of June, though, and there remains constant speculation surrounding his future.

Busquets is believed to be keen to make the move to the MLS, with a number of North American clubs thought to be ready to offer him a contract.

However, Barcelona boss Xavi is said to be desperate to retain the services of the midfielder for at least another season, as he is still a key player for the team.

Cruyff has said that the club are in "permanent contact" with Busquets and his agents, but there has still not been a final decision on his future.

"He is a super special player, a 'one club man', who has spent his whole life in a club and there comes a time when, with such a special player, the first thing you have is respect for the how and when of the decision you want to make," Cruyff told Mundo Deportivo.

"Obviously, the club is in permanent contact with him and with his agents, which is normal, and when the time comes, a joint decision will be made. But the club does not have the decision, the player has the right to decide and also the contract ends."

Only Xavi (767) and Lionel Messi (778) have made more appearances for Barcelona than Busquets, who has won eight La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns during his time at Camp Nou.

There has also been speculation surrounding the future of Franck Kessie, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer from AC Milan over the summer.

The Ivory Coast international has made 13 appearances for the Catalan outfit this term, but he has only started twice in Spain's top flight during the 2022-23 campaign.

Kessie has been linked with a return to Milan, but Cruyff has ruled out a January exit for the 25-year-old.

"There is no plan for it to come out. Neither on their part nor on our part, despite the fact that I have read information," he added.

Barcelona will be back in competitive action against Espanyol in La Liga on December 31. body check tags ::