BABANGIDA CASE COULD END IN COURTS

Babangida was signed at the tender age of 16 and it is this that seems to provide the biggest bone of contention, although Barca are standing by their claims that the contract fully complies with Spanish employment law.

However, Barca are in direct contravention of a Fifa ruling that invalidated the deal Babangida signed as a minor.

The Nigerian wants a new deal negotiated, something Barca are unwilling to do, especially with the transfer market revolution that will take place next year.

Meetings have taken place between representatives of Babangida and Joaquim Rife, a Barca official, but as yet nothing has been agreed.  If the case ends in court, it is possible that the player would leave Catalunya and Spain to continue his career.

The player has stopped training with his Barcelona B team-mates, whilst other clubs await the outcome of further talks with Fiorentina and Fulham believed to be interested in him.