FC Barcelona outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club must continue to add new signings if they are to fend off competition from Real Madrid.
FC Barcelona outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu is one of the favourites to take the top job at the Spanish and European champions alongside Joan Laporta in the next montha s election due on 18th of July.
Reiterating that the club must continue to sign new players to compete with rivals Real Madrid, the current FC Barcelona president is confident that the capture of Aleix Vidal from Sevilla wona t be the only major transfer this summer with the club heavily linked for a move to bring . Paul Pogba, Arda Turan, and Angel Di Maria amongst others to the Camp Nou.
a We have a very reliable team for next season but besides Aleix Vidal another player will join,a Bartomeu is quoted as saying by Marca.
a The club is not paralysed by the election process and is making sporting plans for coach Luis Enrique. The coach knows what we need and we will carry out those duties.a
“We can’t let up and by so doing hand our rivals, such as Real Madrid, the advantage. They are actively buying and selling players in the transfer market,a he told a supporters group.
a The executive board should carry out functions that benefit the club,a he added.
a Bar a must strive to make the team more competitive for the coming season.”
Joan Laporta, who famously appointed Pep Guardiola as his manager in 2008 and oversaw the most successful period in FC Barcelonaa s history between 2003 and 2010 is widely expected to reclaim the presidency and is already discussing moves for the likes of Juventus star Paul Pogba.
Yet, the outgoing president Bartomeu is confident of winning the re-election despite being at the heart of the scandal following the controversial transfer that brought Neymar to the club.
Bartomeu resigned as president recently to declare his candidacy in the election which was called a year earlier with fans voicing their concerns on the way the club was being run following the departure of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.
The former FC Barcelona and Spain goalkeeper paid the price for a FIFA ban on signings for two windows over a breach of rules on the transfer of foreign Under-18 players.
Bartomeu stepped up from vice-presidency to take over from Sandro Rosell who had stepped down following accusation of tax frauds over the Neymar deal.
a I do not know how many signatures we will get,a Bartomeu said. a But we see very pleased to partners down the street who are eager for us to continue at the club.a