Kluivert commits to Barca until 2006

Holland striker Patrick Kluivert has ended speculation that he is set to leave Barcelona at the end of the season by announcing that he has reached a verbal agreement with the Catalan giants to renew his contract until 2006.

Kluivert told the Dutch press assembled for Holland's World cup qualifier with Estonia that he is ready to sign a draft of a contract that he has already seen.

Reports in the Spanish press claimed that the Dutchman was set to leave the Catalan club because of a disagreement over his salary.

The forward had been demanding £2.5 million a season, plus bonuses for appearances, goals and titles while the Nou Camp were only willing to offer £1.9 million per term.

But, after protracted negotiations, Kluivert is finally happy with the offer the club have put on the table.

"My agent has already spoken to Barca on six occasions, but there has been no development," Kluivert said after he was linked with moves to Real Madrid and Chelsea earlier this month.

Kluivert could have walked away from the Nou Camp without commanding a transfer fee in the summer of 2002. But Barcelona were so desperate for him to stay that a faction of Barcelona directors were reported to have proposed that he be ostracised from the first-team squad next season if he refused to sign an extension to his contract.

"It is up to Barca," Kluivert stressed. "We're talking about a new contract but nothing has happened. "If I don't reach an agreement, I'll have to look at my options.

"Barca know the situation, the conditions I'm looking for and the other matters that need resolving - but I want to stay and that's why the subject is a priority."

"I am calm about what is going on and I want to stay at the club because I am happy. I want to extend my contract for the next few years and I am sure it will work out."

"I don't want to put pressure on anyone and I haven't set a date by when I want it sorted out. I need to stay calm," he added