Koeman: Barcelona need a president in to discuss signings

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 17 May 2021 20:44 BST
• 2 min read

Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman says it is imperative that the club elect a new president as soon as possible so that discussions can start about potential January transfers.

Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu was given a no confidence vote in the first half of the season, opening the door for a selection of candidates to start campaigning for the role.

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Some have promised outlandish signings like Neymar, while others have been more conservative in their targets for the club going forward.

When Koeman was appointed boss in the summer, he had two main players on his transfer wishlist – fellow Dutchmen Memphis Depay of Lyon and Gini Wijnaldum of Liverpool.

In the end, the club was unable to sign either, after spending the majority of their transfer budget on right-back Sergino Dest.

Barca have been hugely impacted financially by the current pandemic, and Koeman knows this will play a part in any transfer dealings.

“The best thing is to have a president as soon as possible because it gives us time to talk about signings. On the issue of Covid, if you can’t, you can’t. The most important thing in the world is health,” he said on Friday.

With the Blaugrana currently languishing in third in La Liga, seven points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, Koeman is adamant that reinforcements are needed not for the future, but for this seaosn.

“For the short term future it is important,” he explained.

“We want to improve the squad and I still think that some positions need more competition and effectiveness. So I think, but I understand the situation of the club. If it is not possible, it is not possible and we will wait for next year. “

Barcelona continue to be linked with Depay, though any bid for the Lyon attacker has been complicated by new suitors emerging from Italy.