Pedri hopes 'key piece' Busquets will stay at Barcelona but sees De Jong as replacement

Pedri hopes Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets will stay with the Blaugrana but has identified Frenkie de Jong as a capable replacement for the evergreen midfielder.

Barca great Gerard Pique confirmed his retirement in November and Xavi's side could lose another veteran as Busquets nears the end of his contract in June.

The 34-year-old remains a central part of Xavi's midfield trio, alongside youngsters Pedri and Gavi, helping Barca sit two points behind Real Madrid in the La Liga summit ahead of the match. World Cup.

While 20-year-old Pedri continues his meteoric rise in international and domestic football, Busquets ended his career in Spain after their World Cup knockout round 16 elimination to Morocco.

Pedri has urged his midfield partner to continue with Barca after his current contract ends, although he believes De Jong could take on the role given his experience with the Netherlands.

"I would like him to continue, it's a key element," he told Catalunya Radio. "Frenkie de Jong could be a good replacement for Busquets, he played in that position with the Netherlands in the World Cup."

Spain's early exit from the World Cup in Qatar culminated in the departure of Luis Enrique - much to Pedri's disappointment - with Luis de la Fuente replacing him.

Meanwhile, team-mate Ousmane Dembele suffered a final heartbreak with France, with the 20-year-old suggesting the winger sacked another player following the atrocious defeat to Argentina.

"[Luis Enrique] conveys things very well. It's a shame, but now we will play with Luis de la Fuente to the fullest," he added. "[Dembele] is now more professional than it wasn't before, and it shows."

Pedri and Busquets will be hoping to pick up where they left off as Barcelona resume their La Liga campaign against rivals Espanyol on December 31.