Candidate for the presidency of Barcelona
Joan Laporta, the candidate for the presidency of Barcelona, once again referred to Josep Maria Bartomeu, former president of the club, to analyze the current situation, something he is doing every day of the pre-campaign. In a charity event held at their headquarters in the heart of Barcelona, the lawyer repeated that he has a "good relationship with Mino Raiola," agent of Paul Pogba, and took shots at Bartomeu, whom he considers his main rival.Pogba's possible transfer to Barcelona
As explained in yesterday's print edition of AS, Juventus has set a deadline for Pogba if he wants to leave the club. To do so, he must meet two conditions: first, an offer that exceeds 80 million euros; and second, the deal must be closed before July 15, the date when the Italian champion starts training under the orders of Massimiliano Allegri.
"I think the executive board's actions are wrong," said Laporta, referring to the trip that Albert Soler, a high-level executive of the club, and Ariedo Braida will make to Turin next Wednesday to negotiate with Juventus. He continued, "It is inappropriate behavior according to the way the outgoing board is acting. They act on the edge of what the statutes say. I hope they don't continue down this path. They sold Deulofeu and now want to sign players for large amounts of money. It is not normal for an unelected interim board to do these things. It can anger the members."
"All I have said is that I have a very good relationship with Raiola. I believe Juventus will not do anything until there is a new president. We will talk with the Italian institution, but they will not want to meet until after the 19th," Laporta said.
Regarding the comments made by UNICEF officials contradicting his words and stating that they are happy collaborating with Bartomeu's Barcelona, the candidate said, "I am surprised that they say they are paying four million. They were happy with one and a half million per year. If they wanted to buy UNICEF's goodwill... It's their way of acting, on the fly. If you have more resources for social purposes, allocate them to other charitable foundations. But boasting about having paid more money to UNICEF is out of place. It would be better to diversify, I believe."