Below is an exclusive totalBarça translation of an interview of one of FC Barclona’s directors Josep Maria Bartomeu with Catalan daily sports journal Sport.
He has not had any vacation this summer because he spent the whole summer waiting and negotiating for two names that are now playing in the blaugrana shirt. Now, Josep Maria Bartomeu tells us the why’s behind his decisions.
Do you expect such a quick return of investment from Cesc and Alexis?
The coaches knew their quality but the level that they are demonstrating is very high. Alexis and Cesc know that with a squad as good as this one, they had the obligation of adapting quickly because we need them. They are doing their part and even putting in a little extra effort. In Cesc’s case the adaptation has been instantaneous.
David Dein said the Barcelona has bought champagne for the price of sparkling wine. What is Cesc’s actual value?
It was a very good operation. His price in an open market was not €29 million but he decreased it by saying that he only wanted to leave to Barça. And now the price wasn’t set by the market. His real price is what Arsenal asked for, a minimum of €60 million.
How do leaks affect negotiations and what role does the media play?
The perfect negotiation is the one where nothing goes out for the journalists. This, without a doubt, is impossible given the number of parties involved. Under these circumstances you should try to have the news to your side. Negotiating is like playing poker. When you want to buy you have to try, whether truth or false, as if the player does not have other offers. That’s what we got in the cases of Alexis and Cesc who said they only wanted to leave for Barça. At the same time, you have to make clear how much you are willing to pay. The fact that we announced a while ago that we would only have €45 million went well for us because the clubs already knew our position. If you’re selling, the position changes. In this case, you will try to have many offers.
According to what parameters was the squad formed, seeking to double the positional coverage? Was youth taken into account?
Some positions are not doubled (right-back) but we have the people from the youth system. The squad was designed with the idea that all the players can be present in all the minutes. There are no reserves except Pinto. Some went and others came. In this process great quality was formed all the way to the back of the closet. Before, Pep had a bench with great players but in some games, he lacked some pieces that would revolutionize the game. Not any more.
Is he content?
He has said it publicly. During the season, Zubizarreta, Julià, Tito and Pep meet regularly to search for players according to necessities. During the process they do a selection. Of attackers there was a list of five; midfielders, there was only Cesc, and there were no defenders. It has merit to have brought (Guardiola) the first attacker that he wanted because the second and the third were very good as well, he also got the only midfielder he wanted.
His merit and that of the player himself…
Each club negotiates differently, some use their wallet, others use the club as a tool. Udinese wanted to sell Alexis and they had an offer from Chelsea for €50 million and another from City for €55 million, but not Arsenal. The players’ positions were key. They have been compliant.
Did Manchester City ask for Leo and offer €70 million plus (Mario) Balotelli?
No. Barça has turned into a club that sells but never its starting eleven players, its key pieces, because what we want is not economical success but footballing success. The policy is not to sell but to win titles. We want the key man to start his career here and end it here as well. The clubs now know that they can’t knock on the door for Pedro, Xavi, Iniesta, Piqué.
Is it true that they came when they were negotiating with Alves?
Yes, they show up. They try to throw out a line and see if they get a bite, but you should never come if the players will not negotiate their contracts. Yes that there was a pile of players from the youth system or that were from the first team and did not play much.
Since he has been putting in his best performances, was Messi offered a better contract?
No. He has a contract that improves according to his performance in the previous year. We don’t have a plan to negotiate with him until it is time to renew. He has a contract until 2016…
Which youth players are being talked about regarding promotions?
I won’t say it myself, but you only have to see those whom we renew. It was done to Sergi Roberto and now we’re negotiating with Montoya, Tello and Marc Bartra. Those who renew, it is because they have the possibility of reaching the first team. There are lines of succession and sometimes the players are very good but there is a block in their path, as was the case with Oriol Romeu. He will be great, but he had Sergio Busquets and Mascherano in his way. We have to think of the person first, then the footballer.
Will Pep renew?
He is very intelligent and he will say. We give him all he wants so when it is time to talk about renewal, it will be hard for him to say no.
Do you think it will be in February?
I don’t know. We won’t suffer over Pep. The directors do the maximum that they can for him to be happy. We sleep peacefully.
Interest in Neymar?
He’s a great player and young. There are European clubs that want him. Barcelona’s obligation is to follow the ones who will be good.
Did Rosell take any steps?
No. He went to the Copa América only to speak with Barcelona’s international players.
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