Barcelona have confirmed they made a late offer for Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria at the behest of Coach Ernesto Valverde.
In a wide-ranging interview, the club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu explained the club’s new tactician told the board of his wishes, which were ultimately unsuccessful, to sign the former Real Madrid man.
“It wouldn't have reduced it (PSG’s Financial Fair Play situation) because the offer from us was less than what he was worth to PSG as an asset,” Bartomeu replied to Diario Sport when asked why the lodged a bid for the Argentine.
“How do I know this? I knew what they'd paid for him, the time on his contract and what he was worth. This club’s offer was inferior to that.
“Was is wrong to deal with PSG? There are clubs that have one policy and others that have another on how they operate. Here, the Coach asks for a player, we ask, try to negotiate and if they don't sell we go for another.
“What did Valverde ask for? Marlon to go out on loan and not because he doesn't rate him but because he does. He wanted him to play and come back in the future. The return of Deulofeu, for Ortola to be our third goalkeeper as well as being Barca B's No.1… the renewal of Carlos Alena.
“Our squad is strong now than it was a year ago.”
