Robert Fernandez: 'Sergi Samper to renew Barcelona deal'

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has said that Sergi Samper will renew his contract at Camp Nou "next week".

The 21-year-old came through the youth system at Barcelona and despite being highly rated at the club, has only made one first-team league appearance for the Spanish giants.

It had been claimed that Arsenal wanted to bring the Spain Under-21 international to the Emirates this summer, but Fernandez has insisted that the central midfielder is close to penning a new deal at his hometown club.

"[Samper] will renew [his contract] next week, but all players must earn their place in the team. He always wanted to succeed at Barca and had options to leave. We have a lot of confidence in this player," Fernandez told reporters.

It is understood that Samper will be handed a new and improved four-year contract.