Laporta talks Xavi, Messi, Roque, Guler, Dembele, Fati, Romeu, Real Madrid, Tebas

Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and SPORT, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has opened up on several topics relating to the club such as the club’s summer transfer plans, new signings, Lionel Messi, and the renewals of Ousmane Dembele and Xavi, among other things.

On the summer window so far: “It’s hot. With a lot of activity and not being able to have holidays, this period is very active. I’m even considering postponing my presence on the tour because we have to resolve a number of issues. We are still waiting to further reinforce the squad and the viability plan that we have to comply with.”

On delays in closing transfer operations: “I am convinced that they will all be done. The viability plan has been approved, but it has to be complied with. And I want to make it clear that we were going to comply with it even if La Liga didn’t force us to do so. The club needs it, but it was good that La Liga shared it with us, we accepted the regulations.”

On the failed attempt to re-sign Messi: “There were possibilities, we had agreed that it would be like that. The player wanted to, the father wanted to but the pace is different. We didn’t want what happened last time and we told them that when we had fair play we would let them know.

“Then some time passed, the contract was all agreed but Jorge told us that Messi had decided to join Inter Miami because he had spent some very tough seasons in Paris, where he was under a lot of pressure, that in Miami he would be calmer and despite having wanted to come to Barça, he didn’t want to spend another year like that.”

On the relationship with Messi: “Good, good, correct. We haven’t spoken further. We wish him well in Miami and Barça is his home.”

On Messi saying there was no formal offer from Barcelona: “Well, we had the authorisation from La Liga to fit Leo’s contract. It was something that was discussed with Jorge and everything was defined.”

On the tribute to Messi: “Someone told me to do it on the day of the 125th anniversary and it would be great to have a reunion with all those who have made Barça great over the last 125 years.”

On whether Messi could play for Barcelona again: “I think it’s more complicated and you would have to ask him. This time he had the idea of coming, we wanted him to come, Xavi, the board, and me. It didn’t happen.”

On what the squad is lacking currently: “As the coach has asked, we need a right-back and two midfielders.”

On Oriol Romeu’s impending signing: “The technical secretariat is working on these questions. Romeu and other players have come up. We have to work because if I say something I could hinder negotiations. He is a Barça-trained man and that is one of his assets. He knows the system perfectly.”

On how much importance Xavi places on the Barça DNA: “It is what he prioritises but Xavi is a winner and understands that you can’t be a staunch defender of the philosophy to the extent that you don’t win. There is a middle ground and Xavi’s ability to adapt which I value a lot. We were coming from a very complicated moment of not winning but we needed a title like the league to get more strength.”

On Ilkay Gundogan’s arrival: “Gundogan is another player who will strengthen our midfield. The coach asked for him from the start and he preferred our proposal to a more succulent offer from City, which also means a lot, it means that our club continues to be a reference, the players continue to see a club where they want to come.”

On Gundogan and Inigo Martinez’s registration: “We will register Inigo Martinez and Gundogan without problems.”

On the importance of free transfer signings: “They are key, that’s why I’m happy that Alemany will continue. I am very happy to have him and he gives me a lot of confidence. Think that Christensen, Kessie, now Inigo, Gundogan have been on a slow burner, some of you have uncovered them before the hour but somehow it has gone well. Aubameyang, Marcos… it’s gone well.”

On Deco’s role: “Deco is the person who decides on sporting matters together with Xavi. There has to be a perfect harmony between Deco and Xavi, which is what we want, a person with a lot of personality, with very interesting knowledge of football for us.”

On when Xavi will renew his contract: “When we have put together the squad the way Xavi wants it and when the club feels the time is right. It will be done but in due course and when the club has the peace of mind it needs. Not in the whirlwind of the market.”

On Ousmane Dembele’s renewal: “Dembele is a player who is very dear to the coach, the technical secretariat, and to me. I’m a big fan. His agents are complicated when it comes to negotiating. Now we are in negotiations to keep him and we hope it will be resolved but I am of the opinion that it will go to the end.”

On PSG’s interest in Dembele: “Dembele is delighted at Barça and this is our great fortune and that we want him at Barça. I think he will stay and that’s what he wants. We had this fear last year and it didn’t happen. He wants to stay at Barça and I don’t think he wants to go to any team.”

On Ansu Fati’s future: “Well, at Barça and he wants to succeed at Barça. He has a gift, he’s a goalscorer. Xavi told me that in training who scores the most goals are Lewandowski and Ansu. He’s coming off injury, he had a relapse. Ansu wants to succeed at Barça, and Xavi is determined to give him opportunities.”

On Barcelona’s white away kit for next season: “Let’s see, it’s not all white, it has some azulgrana details and it’s in memory of one of the first shirts that Cruyff wore.”

On Xavi’s comments on wanting to go for the UCL: “I think it’s better to say that we’ll be in the group of candidates to win the Champions League. Xavi says that we will go for the Champions League and that it will almost be obligatory if we strengthen the team with a couple of pieces. He is very happy with the team and we will be candidates, but if we could improve it a bit…”

On Arda Guler joining Real Madrid instead of Barça: “We could have competed but we decided not to. We have a certain line and we don’t cross it. Neither with Arda nor with other players who want to come to Barça.

“We have to apply common sense and we thought that we should withdraw from this operation, due to the magnitudes that were taking place.”

On when Vitor Roque will join: “The contract is signed and done and the player is already a Barça player. I expect goals from him. He’s a player who steps into the box and shoots with both legs from anywhere in the area.

“We have this feasibility plan and it is scheduled for January or June unless the expected circumstances improve, although they could still happen.”

On the level of the current squad: “We have a better team than Madrid and, individually, we are also better than our rivals by some distance. As a member and as a fan I am very satisfied with the team we are building.”

On his relationship with Javier Tebas: “Let’s see, what we have is a very good relationship. I took the step and we met at his house. We were able to have a calm, relaxed conversation. Tebas is very passionate, with a lot of character, and I also have my own way of being, but we have a lot of points in common and I feel comfortable with him, as I do with the president of the RFEF, Rubiales.”

On whether Barcelona will play in the UCL: “Yes, we are now calmer. The recommendation of the UEFA investigators leads to the conclusion that they cannot punish us before we are even tried. They understand that this must be the procedure and they have made this known to the UEFA Appeals Committee and all the news leads to the fact that we are going to play in the Champions League.”

On the Negreira case: “If there is something, let it be investigated to the end, but these are other issues, not refereeing corruption. We are sure that Barça will come out unscathed, because there is nothing.”