Messi, Neymar and Haaland waiting for Laporta & his financial audit

Messi, Neymar and Haaland waiting for Laporta & his financial audit

Lluís Mascaró

Director de Información Deportiva de Prensa Ibérica

| sport

The renewal (or not) of Lionel Messi, the continuity (or not) of Ronald Koeman, the return (or not) of Neymar, the signing (or not) of Haaland...

New Barcelona president Joan Laporta has a lot of sporting issues to resolve once he get the results of an internal audit on the club's financial situation. The financial 'hole' will mark the strategy. Unfortunately. It will condition many decisions that must be made in the coming months.

Like, for example, the club's participation in Florentino Perez's Super League. Laporta, ideologically, is against it... but he's had to position himself in favour because it could provide huge income for a club in massive debt.

Depending on the magnitude of the economic tragedy, it will be possible (or not) to improve the squad, as is essential. Messi is waiting for an offer to decide whether (or not) he stays at Barça, but it's Neymar who is snubbing PSG as he waits to see if Barça can (or can't) bring him back. Without even speaking about Haaland. If there's enough money, he's the priority. If there's less money, Lautaro Martinez is an alternative. And if there's not a euro, it will be Sergio Aguero. Or Memphis Depay. Which, of course, is not the same.

Lamentably, former president Josep Maria Bartomeu's poor decisions (amplified by the pandemic) have left Barça with no room to move. The audit will dictate what's possible. But it looks bad. Very bad. Much worse than expected. And only player sales will allow incomings.

From Neto to Braithwaite, passing through Umtiti, Junior, Pjanic, Coutinho, Griezmann and Dembélé. Maybe even another academy player... If there are good offers (in some cases, even acceptable or mediocre) they will be sold. To bring in money... and to save on disproportionate wages. It is the terrifying inheritance that Laporta has to manage from now on.

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