BABANGIDA AGREES TO BARCA STAY

Speculation over his future had reigned, with a dispute over his contract and lack of progress apparently affecting the Nigerian starlet so much that he was looking to leave Catalunya.  Rumours of him failing to turn up for training with the Barcelona B side, led much of the Madrid-based press to seize on this and question his loyalties to Joan Gaspart's club.

This led the player to hold a press conference to pledge his future to Barca, stating he valued his sporting future over the financial improvement of his contract.

Fifa had invalidated the contract that Babangida signed with the Spanish side when he was 16, but after talks late into Wednesday night, the player eventually agreed new terms.

It is believed that Babangida looked for guarantees he would get his chance in the first team, before he rejected the interest from other clubs like Dinamo Kiev and Fiorentina.

"We were speaking for a long time on whether I was staying or going and what I wanted was to have a good chance on a sporting level, not just financial.  I have spoken with the club and they have left me a little clearer and for that reason I have decided to stay.

"If it were just the money then I would have left Barca, because there are clubs that offered much more money to me than I am getting."