FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.06.2009 14:51

Laporta: “Barça is the reference point”

Vanessa Forns

Joan Laporta believes that after a fantastic season in which Barça has done the treble, players will be keen to join the Club.

Speaking at the launch of the book 'El Barça en guerra', Laporta answered a number of questions about the football first team. With the summer holidays on the horizon, the subject of new signings is very much in the air. Prices are sky high at the moment but the Club president confirmed that FC Barcelona will continue with the same policy of promoting players up through the youth squads.

Sporting prestige

He is convinced that apart from the occasional exceptional signing, “normality is fixed by clubs that are well administered”. And recent success will do no harm: “As regards players who want to improve their sporting prestige, today the reference point is Barça. They know they’ll be well-considered here and will have a good sporting image. We have always maintained our seriousness and rigour”.

The importance of home-grown talent

However, Laporta stressed that there would be no wild overspending: “The Club has always tried to pay the right price and we’ll continue in this way. You have to bear in mind that the player increases his prestige with the performance of the team. It’s important to work with the youth teams”.

The future of Eto'o

Laporta also spoke about the future of Samuel Eto'o: “He’s under contract. It would be nice if he finished his career here at Barça. The football market is very dynamic and there may be a surprise because he’s a much wanted player. It’s our responsibility to make the Club work at all levels and we’re attuned to the market. We’d like him to stay. He’s under contract. These matters are best dealt with by the technical secretary”.