Barcelona make 'F1 car' vow with financial fix to reignite chase for Leeds United's Raphinha - YEP 17/6/22
Barcelona members have voted in favour of a two-pronged financial fix that could allow them to enter the chase for Leeds United's Raphinha.
By Graham Smyth
A virtual Extraordinary General Assembly approved a pair of
mechanisms that will allow Barcelona to raise an estimated 600m euros as they
attempt to return a 2021/22 financial year profit and invest in Xavi's playing
squad.
Raphinha, whose agent Deco has a close relationship with the
Catalan giants, has been one of their key targets but the complicated financial
mess at the Camp Nou has allowed others, including Premier League trio
Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea, to enter the conversation for a player
who should generate a transfer fee of at least £50m to £60m.
The Premier League and a silly question.#lufchttps://t.co/EHZEnFVz5C
— Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) June 17, 2022
Last night, however, Barcelona delegate members chosen to
represent the fans voted in favour selling off almost half of the club's retail
arm Barcelona Licensing and Merchandising and part of its TV rights revenue to
raise the necessary cash to operate as they wish in the summer transfer window
- although their wage bill is still in need of some trimming. Along with
Raphinha they are known to be eyeing Polish international legend Robert
Lewandowski.
During the assembly club president Joan Laporta likened
Barcelona to a damaged Formula 1 car that had run out of fuel with a seized
engine. He says the club's debt restructuring, wage reduction and increased
income allowed them to 'start the F1 car up' but it still couldn't move until
these two latest financial 'levers' were activated to 'correct the finances
earlier than forecast, obtaining positive equity, paying off the debt in a
sustainable manner, and being able to make the investments required for our
professional teams to be more competitive.'
Laporta believes last night's votes will mean the 'F1 car
can leave the pits and return to the front row of the grid to compete and win
again.'
Leeds are yet to receive any official bids for Raphinha, or
Manchester City target Kalvin Phillips, but the club are anticipating interest
to turn into offers this summer. If either man was to be sold, the ownership
will move to replace them. The Whites have already made a pair of key signings
with the £35m spent on Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, with a further
£10m deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca expected to be agreed and
announced later today. Leeds are also in the market for a centre forward to
compete with Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt, Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts.