Spain

Barcelona Reportedly Ready To Confirm Rafael Marquez Contract Extension

After weeks of wrangling, the Mexican defender is set to be offered an extended stay at the Camp Nou.

Jul 10, 2009 9:22:34 AM

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Catch me if you can! Karim Benzema tempts Rafa Marquez to hunt him down during Lyon's CL clash with Barcelona

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Rafa Márquez

After recently concluding contract negotiations to extend Victor Valdes’ stay at the Camp Nou, Barcelona are now ready to tie up Rafael Marquez’s future at the club.

According to Sport, the Blaugrana will make an official announcement today that the Mexican has agreed to ink a two-year extension to his current term, which finishes in 2010, and will stay on with the Catalan giants until 2012.

The sports journal reports that after weeks of negotiations, a verbal deal was finally struck last night and both parties will put pen to paper today. It is believed that neither could previously reach a common ground in terms of the extended contract length, as well as certain performance-based incentives and bonuses.

Another piece of good news for the Blaugrana is that the defender, who suffered a crushing knee injury against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final last season, is expected to recover in time for pre-season training and he could even make the trip to London for Barcelona’s participation in the Wembley Cup.

The 30-year-old is now widely expected to finish up his European adventure at Barca before returning to Mexico.

KS Leong, Goal.com