Ronald Koeman ‘wants Barcelona to prioritise January signings’ despite financial troubles… with Dutchman determined ‘to step up interest for Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia’
Ronald Koeman is preparing to increase pressure on Barcelona’s board to bring in Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia in January, according to reports in Spain.
Long-term injuries to Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique have left holes inn attack and defence and Mundo Deportivo report that Koeman insists additions in January as essential to salvage their season.
Depay worked with Koeman with the Holland national team while Garcia remains interested in a switch to Barcelona having failed to agree an extension at Manchester City.
But Koeman’s wishes for the winter window clash with the current economic climate the Nou Camp.
Barcelona have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic with the club announcing a grim set of economic figures in October.
As well as an £88million loss in the financial year, they revealed their net debt had doubled to £440m.
The Catalans recently announced reached an agreement with their players to implement wage cuts which will save as much as £109m.
However, with the club also deferring £45m of variable payments over a three-year period on top of that, it falls short of the £170m figure the club was targeting to save via player salaries.
More to follow.
