It’s been almost three years since Josep Maria Bartomeu was ousted from the president’s role at FC Barcelona, but the incredibly poor decisions of his tenure are still causing nightmares for the Catalan giants.
Joan Laporta remains captain of a not quite sinking ship, but one that is still trying to navigate through unbelievably choppy waters.
Part of the club’s issue revolves around Financial Fair Play, and their inability to compete with their contemporaries in the transfer market.
Whilst Real Madrid can seemingly sign Kylian Mbappe and Alphonso Davies et al, it appears that Barca are still having to concern themselves with who they need to sell in order to be able to buy.
“I’ve no information about the situation surrounding Frenkie de Jong so far. In general guys, Barcelona around May will understand the situation in terms of Financial Fair Play and what they have to do in terms of outgoings,” Fabrizio Romano said in his exclusive Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside.
“Deco was clear two days ago when he said that Barcelona don’t want to sell top players.
“However, Financial Fair Play could dictate their movements in the market and this will be clarified in the summer, not now.”
With the club well off the pace in the race for the Spanish top-flight title and not playing anywhere near well enough to trouble many of the teams left in the Champions League, it looks as if the club will end the season trophy less under Xavi.
Though there are extenuating circumstances, that would still be a damning indictment of the former midfielder’s reign.
It adds yet another layer of work for Deco on top of an already full in-tray, with the Portuguese under pressure himself to get things right this summer.
Barcelona can ill afford to spend another season in relative wilderness.