Joan Laporta clinched victory in the club’s recent presidential election to become FC Barcelona’s new president, succeeding the controversial Josep Maria Bartomeu. It will be the second time that Laporta has been elected as a President. During his first stint as President at the Catalan club, he succeeded by winning the La Liga and Champions League and also completing marquee signings such as Ronaldinho from PSG back in 2003.
A crucial element behind Laporta’s victory was his promise that he will convince Barca’s star man Leo Messi to stay at the club. Messi’s contract expires at the end of this season and the Argentine has already made it clear that he wishes to leave the club last summer. Apart from the fact that Messi was unhappy with Bartomeu’s decisions, he was also left frustrated at the fact that the club sold his teammate and close friend Luis Suarez to their La Liga rival, Atletico Madrid.
Upon winning the election, Laporta told the reports: “Seeing Leo (Messi), the best player in the world, come to vote with his son is for me a sign of what we have said all along.” It has been reported that Messi told Laporta that if he is to stay at the club beyond this season, they will have strengthen their squad in various departments. Despite the fact that Barcelona have been linked with a move for Dortmund’s star man Erling Haaland it remains to be seen whether Barcelona have the financial muscle to complete such a deal considering the huge debt that currently stands at “Seeing Leo (Messi), the best player in the world, come to vote with his son is for me a sign of what we have said all along 1.2 billion euros.
Joan Laporta is planning to strengthen the club’s attack and midfield. The 58 year old is looking to recruit a centre forward and a central midfielder. On top of the shortlist, apart from Haaland, Barcelona are looking to sign Memphis Depay (Lyon) and Sergio Aguero (Manchester City).
Apart from this, the club’s poor performance in this season’s La Liga and Champions League might trigger a change in Head Coach. Laporta is thought to be looking at the possibility of bringing in Xavi from Al-Sadd in order to repler the Dutchman. Another name linked to the hotseat, is current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
