Joan Verdu and Espanyol have reportedly agreed to put off contract negotiations until League survival is at the club is guaranteed.
The creative midfielder is a key component at the club but is free from January 1 to talk to other interested parties about a summer switch, with his contract set to expire in June 2013.
Initial talks between the player and the club, who have both been continually described as keen for the renewal, were broken off earlier this season due to ‘economic differences’ between the parties.
According the Mundo Deportivo, those differences still exist and, in an unofficial agreement between Verdu and Los Pericos, will not be revisited until the priority of ensuring the club’s League status is achieved.
However, it is believed that despite Espanyol’s eagerness not to lose Verdu on a free transfer, a January window sale has been ruled out.
Verdu is currently joined by Rui Fonte, Joan Capdevila, Raul Baena, Ernesto Galan and captain Cristian Alvarez on the list of players at Cornella-El Prat whose contracts are up next summer.
