Camp Nou presidential candidate Toni Freixa believes it is ‘absolutely possible’ for Barcelona to pull off blockbuster deals for Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland this summer despite the club\u2019s \u00a31billion debt crisis.<\/p>\n
Launching his charm offensive ahead of the elections in March, Freixa\u2019s latest comments have revealed his stance that marquee signings must still be a focus – despite Barcelona finding themselves in more than \u00a31billion of debt.<\/p>\n
When queried by RAC1 if Barcelona still have the means to target either the PSG or Borussia Dortmund star, Freixa replied:<\/p>\n
‘It is absolutely possible. It’s what Barca should do. Incorporate players that can make a difference.’<\/p>\n
However Freixa did noticeably tone down his approach when farther pushed on Barca\u2019s interest in the two young superstar strikers.<\/p>\n
‘We will never talk about players until we present them,’ he added.<\/p>\n
‘It is a bad strategy because you serve other clubs that step on you in negotiations on a platter.’<\/p>\n
Mbappe and Haaland have ripped countless defences apart this season and were both on target for their teams in the recent round of Champions League fixtures, with Barcelona experiencing first hand the damage Mbappe can wreak as he scored a brilliant hat-trick in PSG’s 4-1 win at the Nou Camp.<\/p>\n
PSG’s valuation of the 22-year-old stands at \u00a3173m and Mbappe’s hefty wage packet would only increase the package required to get him out of Paris.<\/p>\n
His contract at PSG expires in 2022.<\/p>\n
Haaland meanwhile coolly showcased his credentials further south in Spain with a brace against Sevilla in Dortmund’s last-16 first-leg victory.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian\u2019s contract has a release clause of \u00a366m which kicks in from 2022 and that price looks a bargain that will cause a scramble among his many suitors considering his unstoppable sizzling form.<\/p>\n
While the Blaugrana are yet unclear if Lionel Messi will stay on at Barcelona with his contract up at the end of the season and that would increase the need for an elite striker if he does, Freixa remains ‘confident’ that Messi has still not made a decision either way as he looks to the outcome of March’s presidential elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cMessi is as cool as we are, knows the situation of the club and I am confident that he will wait for the president to decide his future,’ Freixa added.<\/p>\n
If only that were the case.<\/p>\n
With Messi, the Barcelona talisman decides his own future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"