Robert explains the signing of Paco Alcacer and Andre Gomes

Barca's former sporting director Robert Fernandez spoke to Superdeporte in an interview. He was asked about the signings of Valencia duo Paco Alcacer and Andre Gomes.

"We had Luis Suarez and we looked at the possibility of signing various players in that position, six or seven players," said Robert. "Luis Enrique and I had a clear profile, young, who didn't cost a lot, who knows the competition, who arrives to keep growing, whose arrival won't alter things in the dressing room," said Robert, on Alcacer.

"He knew how to play in small spaces and was a good finisher. We thought Valencia might sell, he wanted to come here and he would adapt without problems."

On Gomes, who failed at Barca, he said: "Nobody, not (Gomes) himself expected what happened. He had the strength to admit to the media what happened, but on the pitch he was not capable of saying, here I am.

"Andre was 22 and had it all, even being sexy. Strong, elegant, powerful, but he did not manage the situation well. He suffered a lot and we all felt it. We thought he would help us a lot, to be in a situation on the pitch protected by great players like Rakitic, Busquets and Iniesta, the club did a great job of helping him but we could not and we decided it was best that he left."