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Tag: laporta

  • I’ve not spoken to Messi since Barca exit – Laporta

    I’ve not spoken to Messi since Barca exit – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists there’s no tension with Lionel Messi.

    It’s been suggested Messi is furious with Laporta for refusing to renew his contract ahead of his shock departure to PSG.

    But Laporta told Esport3: “We were both affected the day he left and it showed.

    “I saw his debut with PSG and I didn’t like it, it was a weird, weird situation. It’s a team with which we have clashes. I haven’t spoken to him since he left. The story must continue.

    “The story must continue as he will always be a Barcelona fan. What I must say is that there was no overflow during the negotiations. Everything is normal in this context. There was no friction neither with his father nor with him.”

  • What I told players about Messi exit – Laporta

    What I told players about Messi exit – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has explained how he broke the news of Lionel Messi’s departure to the players.

    It was announced last night that Messi was leaving Barca after the collapse of contract talks.

    Laporta said: “Yesterday (Thursday) I spoke on the phone with the captains. This is a very important fact in the history of Barça. I told the players that a new stage is starting in Barca’s history and that we have to keep winning without Messi.

    “We have tried to make decisions in a fair way. I saw the faces of the players and I asked the captains to do the best. There is a very strong group. The captains must lead this new stage, welcoming young players who show great talent.

    “The squad have a strange feeling, a certain sadness, but they are professionals and they have the opportunity to show their talent to help Barça win.

    “We are going to ask for a lot of involvement. We will give everything to succeed.”

  • Barca president speaks on Messi departure

    Barca president speaks on Messi departure

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been explaining why a new contract cannot be agreed with Lionel Messi, with an all-time great preparing to sever ties with the only club side that he has represented in an iconic career.

    Laporta told a press conference: “Leo wanted to stay at Barca. We wanted him to stay.

    “I want to thank everyone that has been in the negotiations. There were lots of aspects that needed to be negotiated.

    “He is the best player in the world and has other offers, of course.

    “After all of this process, there comes a moment where you have to say ‘enough’. You have to analyse it and look at the numbers.

    “In La Liga we have to abide by the rules. We think they could be more flexible, but that is not an excuse. We couldn’t abide by it.

    “Leo deserves everything. He has proven that he loves Barca. He has his roots in Barcelona. I’m sad but I’m convinced we have done the best for the interests of Barcelona.”

    Laporta added: “Leo’s legacy is excellent, he has made history. He is the player with the most success in the history of the club. I hope we can overcome this situation.

    “A new era starts now. There will be before and after Leo, as there was with other great players in the history of Barca.”

  • If Griezmann insists staying then… – Barca president

    If Griezmann insists staying then… – Barca president

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta says they’re happy to go into the new season with Antoine Griezmann.

    Barca have made the striker available, but are struggling to find him a buyer.

    Laporta said: “I would not like to focus on one player, if there is no fair play there will be no more incorporations. We are not in a strong position to make investments, the strength of Barça gives us the ability to make the incorporations that have to be made.

    “Griezmann is happy with the coaches, he is a professional, he fights like most, it is a situation that we are open to because in the market there was interest in him and everything remains at the same point. If the player does not see an offer that he wants to take, we will have to respect his contract.”

  • I can’t assure Messi stay at Barca – Laporta

    I can’t assure Messi stay at Barca – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists talks with Lionel Messi remain on track.

    Messi is now a free agent with his previous Barca deal expiring on June 30.

    Asked about the risk of losing Messi, Laporta said: “(We are) calm.”

    He continued: “We are doing well. You have to fit it into the financial fair play. We want him to stay and he is excited to stay. I wish I could tell you that Leo is staying but I can’t say yet. We are in the process of finding the solution.”

    Laporta added: “The return to the presidency has been tough but I am still just as encouraged.”

  • La Liga: Messi calls Laporta with Barca contract answer

    La Liga: Messi calls Laporta with Barca contract answer

    Lionel Messi has assured Barcelona he is ready to sign a new contract.

    Messi’s current deal will expire at the end of June and there have been doubts about his commitment to Barca with the midfielder away at the Copa America with Argentina.

    However, Spanish reporter Miguel Rico says Messi has given a definitive ‘yes’ to president Joan Laporta that he will sign the renewal.

    Barca have managed to fit the Argentine captain’s salary inside their budget and he will sign until 2023.

    Messi has called Laporta directly to confirm that he is prepared to sign the new deal.

  • Barca president tells Koeman ‘you’re being replaced’

    Barca president tells Koeman ‘you’re being replaced’

    Ronald Koeman knows he’s a dead man walking at Barcelona, it has been revealed.

    TV3 says during his meeting with Barca president Joan Laporta, Koeman was informed a new coach was being sought.

    Vice president Rafa Yuste and football director Mateu Alemany were both present, along with Koeman’s agent Rob Jansen.

    And during the meeting, Laporta told Koeman they were seeking to replace him and planned to have the new coach appointed within 15 days.

    If no appointment is made, then Koeman would be supported to fulfill the final year of his current Barca contract.

  • Koeman remains Barca coach after Laporta meeting

    Koeman remains Barca coach after Laporta meeting

    Ronald Koeman remains Barcelona coach after meeting with president Joan Laporta on Tuesday.

    Both parties have called for a new meeting, that could take place in the near future. It is clear that a proposal was made, and those involved want some time to analyse before making a decision, says Marca.

    Just before 8pm, Koeman turned up a Barcelona’s Camp Nou offices accompanied by his representative Rob Jansen.

    The Barcelona boss held talks with president Laporta and director of football Mateu Alemany, as they looked to address the Dutchman’s future at the club,

    The meeting lasted less than 30 minutes, and it is not yet known what the outcome was, though news of whether or not Koeman will stay on as Barcelona coach is expected soon.

    Ten minutes after Koeman and his agent left the Camp Nou offices, Laporta, Alemany and Ramon Yuste also departed.

    Koeman has always made clear that he has a contract with Barcelona, despite the fact that Laporta has claimed that this is the end of a cycle for the club.

  • Mikel Arteta added to Barca president shortlist

    Mikel Arteta added to Barca president shortlist

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is on the shortlist of Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

    After a disappointing end to the season, Barca coach Ronald Koeman is under pressure to keep hold of his job. He is set to meet with Laporta tomorrow to discuss his situation.

    Mundo Deportivo says Laporta is expected to show Koeman the door and begin the search for a replacement.

    Al Sadd coach Xavi is favourite, though not alone with Arteta also being considered.

    Belgium coach Roberto Martinez is another being discussed inside Laporta’s board room as he casts a wide net.

  • Barca president Laporta secures €500M loan

    Barca president Laporta secures €500M loan

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has secured the club a loan worth €500m, all from investment bank, Goldman Sachs.

    Barcelona have been facing financial Armageddon after the Josep Maria Bartomeu era, and there have been concerns over whether the club would be able to both pay their players and recruitment new ones in the summer.

    L’Esportiu reports the club obtained the loan on Tuesday morning, with the money likely going towards refinancing part of the debt, easing the short-term pressure on the club hierarchy.

    “This credit will give air and stability to the club, we can be calm this season and next season,” Barcelona sources explained to the newspaper.

    “We have looked at what could be the worst-case scenario, that fans don’t enter the stadium throughout next season. Even so, we can be calm after this operation.”

    In the same report it was claimed that the American investment fund had offered the club favourable conditions with regards to repayment, far better than any normal bank would offer.