Sergio Busquets has reportedly informed Barcelona that he will be leaving the club this summer.

The 34-year-old remains a key figure for the Catalan giants, featuring on 29 occasions in all competitions this season, contributing one assist in the process.

However, his contract at Camp Nou is due to expire at the end of June, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future over the last few months.

At one stage, it appeared that Busquets was leaning towards signing a 12-month deal with Barcelona, but according to El Nacional, the former Spain captain has ultimately decided to leave this summer.

The report claims that the experienced midfielder has told both club president Joan Laporta and head coach Xavi that he will be departing once his contract has expired at the end of June.

Busquets allegedly has no plans to retire, with a number of MLS clubs said to be interested in his services, while a recent report claimed that he had been offered a deal by Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

There is also thought to be interest from the Premier League, with the Spaniard set to be at the centre of a tug-of-war when it comes to his next club.

Laporta and Xavi have both recently expressed a desire to keep hold of Busquets, but it is understood that the deal on the table is far from what the midfielder would require to sign a new contract.

"For now we are focused on La Liga. Sergio is an important player for us and it'll be difficult for our team's dynamics if he leaves," Laporta recently told reporters.

"When he decides, we'll talk about it. Neither party considers that it's the moment. We had a meeting before Christmas because he had offers from the MLS."

Meanwhile, Xavi told reporters: "In the end, we all work together and the decision is his. We are waiting to see what he decides. He is a very important person inside and outside, he is the captain.

"He is part of everything and he has earned the right to decide his future. If he can continue, I'd be delighted."

Busquets is thought to be leaning towards making the move to North America, with Inter Miami said to be at the head of the queue for his services.

The Spaniard made his Barcelona debut in 2008, and he has featured on 709 occasions for the club, which puts him third on the all-time appearance list behind Lionel Messi (778) and Xavi (767).

A departure for the club captain would see the Catalan giants enter the market for a replacement, with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi thought to be the leading target in that area of the field. body check tags ::