Signing Neymar unfeasible in these trying times, says Barca chief Josep Maria Bartomeu

BARCELONA: Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu stated it is not feasible for the Catalan side to re-sign Brazilian star striker Neymar from Paris St-Germain in the current economic climate caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We had been following (Miralem) Pjanic for a long time. He was always delighted with the possibility of coming to Barca and it wasn't a surprise signing. He will easily integrate himself as an important player," Bartomeu told Spanish newspaper Sport.

"Barca have spoken with Inter about Lautaro (Martinez), but the talks have stopped. The situation doesn't invite large investments."

"Neymar? In this situation, it's unfeasible. Nor does PSG want to sell him."

On the current economic situation, he said: "The club lost 200 million euros between March and June. In the 2020/21 season we expected to post 1.1 billion euros, but we'll have 30 percent less.

"If the situation of the pandemic doesn't improve, there will be no spectators, no museum, no stores open, and money will continue to be lost. It forces us to be very rigorous in management: we must review which investments are essential and which can wait.

"All the big European clubs are affected. Everyone works to adapt. And this isn't going to last a year, but three or four."

Bartomeu also said the current squad is the best although Barcelona failed to win the LaLiga title with arch-rivals Real Madrid being crowned champions this season. IANS 

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