Barcelona have today clarified their summer transfer business, confirming options secured for Atletico Madrid and Santos youngsters.
The Catalans signed Neymar from Santos at the start of the summer break for a fee of €57m and sold Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich for €25m and David Villa to Atletico Madrid for €5.1m.
Speculation was also that Barca had paid a further fee to secure first refusal on a trio of Santos youngsters and that a similar scheme was worked out with Atleti as part of Villa’s transfer.
At a Press conference on Tuesday, Vice-President Josep Maria Bartomeu and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta reflected on the summer’s work, clarifying this speculation and finer points to activity undergone.
“The cost of [Neymar] is €57m, which has gone to Santos and to other related parties,” stated Bartomeu in starting with the 21-year-old’s purchase.
“We commented at the time that certain aspects were confidential and that the cost was €57m, despite the speculation that has followed, whilst there is a buyout clause in place of €190m.
“The cost is €57m, of which €17m correspond to the transfer of the player. The price involved Santos and three more parties. Santos have revealed some data, but there is a party that has not authorised this. The cost is €17.1m for the economic rights and aside from that, there have been other economic costs in the picture. We cannot say publicly, each can draw their own conclusions.
“Afterwards, we reached an agreement with Santos and we have the right of first refusal on three of their young players, but we cannot reveal their names.
“The cost of this is €7.9m and if the club decides to sign them, we would have priority.”
The club’s sale of David Villa raised eyebrows for the low amount Atleti are paying.
“He received offers in January 2013, we asked him to stay until the end of that season. We promised that we would then facilitate his exit. The transfer amount is €5.1m spread over three years. Additionally, we reserve the right to 50 per cent of a future possible move. There is also a first option on two Atletico players, we are not going to say their names.”
Bartomeu also confirmed that the club’s loan of Bojan Krkic to Ajax comes at ‘no cost to Barcelona’, whilst Andreu Fontas’ move to Celta Vigo is on a €1m fee conditional on him playing a certain number of games, otherwise a return to the Camp Nou is possible.
