Mueez Ajao
– Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are both likely to be on the move this summer but Barcelona chief Joan Laporta will not be paying silly sums as he underlines the club’s financial stance.
– Barcelona may not pursue moves for Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe if it put the club “at risk” claims president Joan Laporta.
– The Nou Camp chief returned for a second term last year and has set about rebuilding a club that had lost their way on the pitch and face huge debts off it. Xavi has been hired and looks to be getting a tune out of the current crop following some shrewd January recruitment.
Also Read: Barcelona must cut costs to sign Haaland – LaLiga
– But several huge names will be available in the summer transfer market and, over the years, Barcelona would firmly be in the race.
– Mbappe’s PSG contract is due to expire and Real Madrid are favourites to land the World Cup winner for nothing. Haaland meanwhile will be available for less than £70m and has suitors from around Europe.
– Barcelona were forced to let Lionel Messi leave last summer and are currently without a true marquee name despite having some stellar academy graduates in their ranks. Laporta has spoken about the need to balance the books but will want to remain competitive with Barcelona currently participating in the Europa League.
– Laporta was asked about a potential swoop for Mbappe and told Mundo Deportivo : “Here everyone is free to launch messages and proclamations and we already know that this is part of the world of football, that the big clubs are interested in great players. But I’m not going to enter, and you have to allow me not to talk about players because if I do, the only thing I can do is harm the interests of our club.
– “If we talk about a player and we had the intention of signing him, we would increase the price. Neither with this player nor with others do I want to comment on issues because it would harm the interests of the club.
– The technical secretary and sports management are working to improve our squad, which is getting better and better, we are more and more satisfied.
