‘Now it’s time to work on defence’: Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists the club is far from done in the summer transfer market… as he reveals the Catalan giants are up against competition from Chelsea and PSG have resisted to sign Robert Lewandowski, the No. 1 target
- Barcelona have been incredibly active in the summer transfer window so far
- The LaLiga giants have achieved their top goal after sealing the deal for Robert Lewandowski
- However, President Joan Laporta insists they are far from done in the market
- Barca have been linked with a move for Jules Kounde and Cesar Azpilicueta
Barcelona President Joan Laporta insists his side are not done in the summer transfer market despite achieving their top goal Robert Lewandowski.
That Bayern Munich The forward became the club’s fourth signing after the league side agreed a £42.5million deal with the Bundesliga champions. The 33-year-old had been Barca’s priority in that window.
Now the view has shifted top-to-back, with Laporta insisting more needs to be done. The Blaugrana have already strengthened their defense with the arrival of Andreas Christensen Chelseabut their business doesn’t seem to stop there.
Joan Laporta insists Barcelona aren’t done with the deal this summer
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp, as has Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta.
And Laporta has confirmed they will seek reinforcements before the window closes on September 1.
“We want to form a competitive team, give Xavi the tools to have a good team and I think we’re on the right track,” he said in an interview with former Barca icon Hristo Stoichkov brand.
“My dream is for Barca to become a global reference again and we are working on it. If the economy doesn’t recover, it will be very difficult.
The Barcelona president wants defensive reinforcements with Jules Kounde a target
Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta has also been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp
“We’re getting there, but we still have to work harder. Football doesn’t wait. We must do it now. With [Ousmane] Dembele, Raphinha, Lewandowski [Franck] Kesi, Auba [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang]Ferran [Torres]… I think Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff are doing a good job.
“Now is the time to work on defence. Xavi has kept us focused on a number of players and I hope the Catalans enjoy a little more.’
Lewandowski met his new teammates for the first time in Miami this week after completing his protracted move despite Barca’s precarious financial situation.
The Spanish club have yet to recover a large chunk of their expenses this summer and are trying to force Frenkie de Jong into a move to Manchester United, although the Dutch midfielder is proving stubborn, especially given the hefty salary he feels is still owed .
Barcelona achieved their No.1 transfer target with the arrival of Robert Lewandowski at the weekend
However, despite the financial woes, Barcelona have still been able to compete with the European elite, with Laporta revealing they fought off stiff competition to sign the Polish forward.
“We competed with teams like PSG and Chelsea to sign Robert and he wanted to come here,” he said.
“Barca need a striker who scores, incisively, like any great team. Robert is a machine gunner. He was awarded the Golden Shoe several times.
“He guarantees goals and every great team needs a striker who guarantees goals. With him, with Ansu [Fati]with Auba we guaranteed goals.’
