Ronald Koeman insists Barcelona must secure new signings to turn their fortunes around, but admits cash-strapped giants will struggle to spend big in the January window
- Boss Ronald Koeman is to eager to sign players in the January transfer window
- He claims his Barca side are ‘lacking people’ and that the club must ‘want more’
- However, he worries the club are not in the right ‘economic situation’ to do so
- Barca are currently sit fourth in the table, 10 points behind Atletico Madrid
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman believes new signings are crucial to improve his struggling side in the January transfer window but worries the club are not in the right ‘economic situation’ to splash the cash.
Koeman claims his Barca side are ‘lacking people’ and insists the club must ‘want more’ and ‘sign more’ to overcome their slow start to the season.
Barca are currently sitting fourth in the LaLiga table, 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and six points off their rivals Real Madrid in second place.
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is to eager to sign players in the January transfer window
Barca have improved their form in recent weeks – beating Huesca, Athletic Bilbao and Granada.
However, Koeman feels he does not have the personnel to restore the club to its former glory and challenge for the LaLiga title.
Speaking of the January transfer window, Koeman said: ‘My position is known: we lack people, but the economic situation of the club is an influence.
‘I think we all think the same. If no one arrives, I accept it and we continue the same, but if we want more we must sign.’
Barca are currently sitting fourth in the LaLiga table, 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid
Barcelona’s debt had skyrocketed from £193million to £434m in the space of 12 months
Marca revealed that Barcelona’s debt had skyrocketed from £193m to £434m in the space of 12 months – going from June 2019 to June 2020.
As a result, Barca have had to limit their spending and make cuts to their first team squad in a bid to reduce the wage bill.
Despite cutting Nelson Semedo, Arthur, Ivan Rakitic and Marc Cucurella from the books – saving £71m – Barca are still struggling for funds.
Koeman thought he had secured the signing of central defender Eric Garcia from Manchester City – before finding out that the club’s board had blocked the deal.
The sold stars like Nelson Semedo (pictured), Arthur and Ivan Rakitic to cut their wage bill
Barcelona’s board also blocked the purchase of Eric Garcia (R) due to their financial situation
Presidential candidate Joan Laporta said the board were reluctant to fund the transfer when Garcia will be available on a free transfer in the summer.
‘We cannot demand that the Management Board make decisions like this,’ Koeman said after the transfer was blocked.
‘We have concluded that if he is a player whose contract is ending, we must wait.
‘If we moved now we would have to pay the transfer fee plus the player’s salary.’
Koeman said he will be ‘demanding’ of his existing players but insists his criticism will come with ‘respect’ as he wants to help them move up a level.
The Barcelona manager (centre) has said he will be ‘demanding’ of his existing players
He said: ‘I am not going to lie. I say what I see. If you are a Barca player, you have to be demanding.
‘I criticise them with respect. I’m not going for anyone, I want to help them, but if we play against Cornella with all due respect and we are not able to win in 90 minutes, I have to say what I see.
‘If not, bring in another coach.’
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