Barcelona advisor takes dig at Dembele following PSG transfer: “I want involved players”

Enric Masip, who happens to be Joan Laporta’s advisor, has said that the FC Barcelona president is completely dedicated to the club and his duty towards the team, adding that even if there’s a quiet day in the office, he looks to invent something new.

Laporta won the presidential election of Barcelona back in 2021 and the club, ever since, has been working on sorting out the finances.

Over the years, the team has been forced to take drastic decisions, including the departure of Lionel Messi, in order to comply with the financial rulings.

However, with new sponsors coming on board, the management has slowly steadied the ship.

Laporta surrounds himself with good company

Speaking about the man himself, Masip has said that Laporta likes to surround himself with good and positive people.

“Laporta has surrounded himself with his people and runs the club in his own way. You may think that the club needs a CEO but the results are there: debt reduction and reduction of between 150 and 200 million in wage bill forming a stronger team than last year,” Masip was quoted by TV3. 

“On top of that, making a new stadium. We inherited a situation that forces me to value what has been done, we had to face the relegations of the sections. Yes they have criticized a lot but there are things that cannot be paid,” he added.

He also mentioned that Laporta is someone who always has work on his mind, meaning that he gets very little sleep, resulting in a lot of stress.

“Laporta’s wear and tear is huge. Every day he is busy and if there’s a quiet day, something will be invented. But he is strong and brave. He sleeps little, travels a lot, and suffers from stress. 

“I sometimes control his food, but he doesn’t quite pay the full attention. He gets hungry because of the stress. It annoys me that they laugh at his physique,” he explained.

Atletico Madrid are covering Joao Felix’s salary

Meanwhile, Masip also shed light on the playing department, mentioning that an unnamed club was seriously interested in signing Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde this summer.

On the other hand, the advisor went on to reveal that while Joao Felix is now a Barcelona player, a large chunk of his salary is covered by Atletico Madrid. 

“Felix’s salary is paid almost in full by Atletico Madrid. It’s ridiculous how little Barça pay for him.”

Furthermore, while taking a cheeky dig on Ousmane Dembele, who left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, he added, “I prefer players like Felix and Gundogan to Dembele. The first two have waited for Barça and have given up on other things, unlike Dembele. I want involved players.”