Money matters: Barcelona's new president Sandro
Rosell
New Barcelona president Sandro Rosell last night
revealed the club will need a loan to pay their players at the end
of the month.
Rosell insisted Barca would not go to the wall, but admitted
they were in a ‘delicate financial situation’, meaning they would
be using a loan of 150million euros (£125m) agreed by previous
president Joan Laporta.
The Spanish champions will borrow an amount similar to that owed
by crisis club Portsmouth.
Rosell angered fans by saying fees for members — the equivalent
to English season-ticket holders — would have to rise.
And he confirmed the sale of Dmitro Chygrynskiy back to Shakhtar
Donetsk after just one season.
The Ukraine defender is being sold for £12.5m — a loss on the
deal of nearly £9m. Barcelona fans fear such a desperate move
highlights that the economic situation is more dire than Laporta
ever let on.
It must also lead to doubts that Barcelona can afford to launch
a £30m-plus bid to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
The sale of Chygrynskiy, along with holding midfielder Yaya
Toure’s recent departure to Manchester City, has raised the £32m
Rosell has said he would be prepared to splash out on the Arsenal
captain.
By pleading poverty, it is suggested, Barca are telling Arsenal
they will not pay ‘any price’ for the Gunners captain.