Barcelona president talks Ronald Koeman, Xavi, Dembele, Gavi, Araujo, and Sergi Roberto

Barcelona have exploded onto the scene over the past few months under Xavi Hernandez. However, it is actually the arrival of Joan Laporta into the scene that triggered the club’s return.

The Spaniard inherited a club in economic and sporting trouble, and made well-thought-out moves in the summer transfer window, bringing in three players on a free transfer. He repeated similar moves in the winter, bringing two free agents and one player on loan.

All of these, coupled with restructuring Barcelona’s mammoth debt, have helped the club return to track.

The club president gave an elaborate interview to Mundo Deportivo and El Periodico recently, where he spoke about the various events since his arrival and the future plans of the club.

Barça Universal brings forth the important quotes from both interviews in this thread.

On Ronald Koeman: “After last season, Koeman asked me: ‘Am I your coach?’ I replied: ‘We won the cup, but I don’t like how we play. You have changed the system.’ Now, he might have changed it because of the players he had at his disposal. I told him that I would need a reflection period.”

On his decision to appoint Xavi: “We had direct and firm contact with Xavi since the elections. I always told him that we would see what happened, and that the time would eventually come for him. I asked him if he was ready, and he said yes. That is when Mateu Alemany and Rafa Yuste travelled to Qatar.”

On Ousmane Dembele’s contract situation: “Dembélé is a good kid. He has not caused us any trouble since we have been here. Xavi has decided to count on him because he can make a difference on the pitch. Now, if he wants to stay, he will have to accommodate to our salary limit for next season.”

On whether Barcelona needs a star striker: “We already have good strikers. We have Auba… Memphis… or Ansu Fati, who can’t play yet. These are very good strikers who all have a place in this Barça. That’s why our goal is to compete for La Liga until the end.”

On the renewals of Gavi and Araujo: “We want Gavi and Araujo to continue at Barça for many years, but under the salary scales we are implementing. The negotiations are right on track.”

On Sergi Roberto’s situation: “I intervened in the negotiations with Sergi Roberto. I have a special appreciation for him, as he was a part of a glorious Barça. They decided not to accept the club’s proposal. We will see what happens. We have to talk to him and leave things clear from both parties.”

On the expectations from this season: “In my first season as Barcelona president, there was a huge ‘remontada’ in the league. But we couldn’t win it. I hope that this season ends how that one was supposed to: by winning the league.”

On Espai Barca: “Everything is going on track with the Espai Barça. In April we hope to have the licenses. We are now evaluating the impact of the war in Ukraine on the project. It has increased the price of materials and has increased the interest rates; work is being done towards it.”

On the economic situation: “Next season will be difficult because of the disastrous economic situation we inherited. We are working to make the situation better, but it’ll take time. We are actively working and we will soon have new sponsorships that will bring in significant income.”

On the club’s sponsorship deal with Spotify: “Voting ‘yes’ to Spotify isn’t voting with no reasoning. It is a very important company that is well known world-wide. It is one of, if not the, best sponsorship deals in the market.”

On the European Super League: “The Super League project is still standing. We’re still there with Madrid, Juventus, and other teams. The English and German clubs are still interested, and want to know if the project will be born or the Champions League will be improved.”

On the role of Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff: “Jordi Cruyff is playing an important role. Mateu Alemany has expressed all his talent in two very complicated transfer markets and I hope that in summer we will also see the great Mateu, a tireless worker, a very skilled negotiator and with whom we are very satisfied.”