Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club will not “enter the madness market” this summer in pursuit of fresh faces.
Barca have been linked with big money moves for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, but Bartomeu is prepared to admit while these players would be welcome additions to the Camp Nou ranks, but insists they have no plans to make a move.
“Those players are very good, but we always need common sense in any negotiations,” said Bartomeu. “We will not enter the madness market because it is impossible for Barcelona to pay 40 or 50million Euros (£33-42m) for any player. This is a decision of the club. We can’t fight against every club. But we have an advantage in that players want to come and play for Barcelona.”
So no superstar signings for Barcelona this summer, but that it not to say that they will not be involved in the transfer market. Carles Puyol is not getting any younger and Gerard Piqué has been really poor this season. So Barca need to sign at least one, if not two, central defenders.
If David Villa comes back, the forwards are ok and last season they signed Fabregas to eventually run the midfield. So 2012 should be the summer of defenders at Barcelona.