Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims, based upon statements made during a meeting with Barcelona fan club members last week, that Barcelona presidential candidate Sandro Rosell is worried about the transfer policy of the current board in the weeks that are left before the elections.Rosell reportedly thinks that the club could speed up some transfer negotiations and close deals regarding players like Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas and Valencia forward David Villa before the elections, which could benefit the board candidacy. This might lead to Barcelona paying transfer fees that are above the market price. The former sports vice-president would have said it's possible that Barcelona would spend up to 100 million euros in transfers, which could also limit the actions of the new board that will take office on 1 July. Regarding the transfer of Villa, Rosell is quoted as saying that a correct transfer fee would be between 25 and 30 million euros.Read more:Villa to be presented before the electionsLaporta blocks transfer plans RosellTorres confirms good relationship with Rosell
Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Barcelona and Valencia have reached a principal agreement on the transfer of Valencia forward David Villa (28) after a formal meeting between Barcelona chief executive Joan Oliver and Valencia representatives in Valencia last week.
Apart from the determination of the final transfer price, the deal between the two clubs would be complete. The rumoured fee would be around 30 million euros but Valencia would want to include some Barcelona players in the deal because cash money would go directly to the bank that has refinanced the club's debts.
Pressured by their creditors, among which Spanish bank Bancaja is the most important one, Valencia would be forced to sell players for between 40 and 60 million euros this summer and reduce the cost of the players' salaries from 90 to 60 millions. The plan is reportedly that the deal could be closed soon after the end of the league season and that Villa would be presented as new player of Barcelona before the presidential elections in 13 June and before Villa, who was already a transfer target of Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola during the past two transfer summers, travels to South Africa for the World Cup.
Read more:Laporta blocks transfer plans Rosell Rooney could become electoral transfer target Rosell preparing bid for Cesc
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has already closed two transfer deals for the summer and would that way make impossible the plan of Barcelona presidential candidate Sandro Rosell to announce signings ahead of the elections in June.A Barcelona vice-president is quoted as saying: "Sandro Rosell will not be able to announce his candidacy with a transfer because Laporta has already verbal agreements with two players who will arrive before 30 June. So Sandro will have to wait two years to sign someone if he in the end wins the presidency of Barcelona."The paper claims that one of the two players involved is Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas (22). The second player would be Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli (19 - picture) or Valencia forward David Villa (28). Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would like all three players.Read more:Transfer battle between board and RosellRooney could become electoral transfer targetRosell preparing bid for Cesc