Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said the Catalan outfit must strengthen if they are to keep ahead of rivals Real Madrid.
The Nou Camp side enjoyed a superb season winning the treble – La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. But with Real expected to invest significantly this summer, the current president told a supporter’s group that Barca must also dip into the transfer market.
Real have already signed right-back Danilo, and are known to be keen on taking David de Gea from Manchester United to the Santiago Bernabeu. With Sami Khedira having left the club, Los Blancos are in the lookout for a midfielder, while they also look short up front after deciding against keeping Javier Hernandez, sou could dip into the transfer kitty for another striker too.
Barcelona announced the signing of Aleix Vidal, the Sevilla defender, last month. He can’t feature until January though, when the club’s transfer ban is lifted.
And Bartomeu, who is facing an election contest this summer, said Barcelona must keep investing in the side.
“We can’t let up and by so doing hand our rivals, such as Real Madrid, the advantage. They are actively buying and selling players in the transfer market. The executive board should carry out functions that benefit the club. Barça must strive to make the team more competitive for the coming season,” he said.
