Barcelona president Joan Laporta has given updates on the contract situations of some members of the club such as Ilaix Moriba and Antoine Griezmann. He also revealed the latest in the Messi contract situation.
Ilaix is reportedly at loggerheads with the club amid contract negotiations and has refused to sign a new deal. Barcelona find his wage demands absurd and the president has revealed the club’s stance on the matter.
The 18-year-old has reportedly been exiled from both the senior and B team pre-season squads as a result of the disagreement.
Laporta has made it clear that in the case that Ilaix does not sign a new contract, he will be sold this summer. The Barca president has reiterated that he will not be allowed to depart on a free transfer in the summer of 2022 which is when his contract expires.
“He [Ilaix] has a year left and doesn’t want to renew. It’s a situation we don’t accept and we have to act,” Laporta told Barca’s official media channel at the presentation of summer signing Emerson Royal on Monday.
“If he doesn’t want to renew his contract, he has other options. We don’t want players that have grown up here and don’t want to renew their contracts.
“He’s been given opportunities, but the club is above all and they can’t make this kind of move on us. I hope the situation can be recovered.
“I feel bad that he doesn’t recognise what we’ve done for him. We won’t let him leave for free.
“We’re sorry, but the club comes before anything else and we can’t have this kind of thing happening. I want them to think again because we want to reach an agreement.”
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Ilaix made the breakthrough into the senior team last season. The teenager made 18 appearances under Ronald Koeman scoring one goal and providing three assists. He is said to have a value of around €25m according to Transfermarkt.
Laporta also gave the latest update to Messi’s contract negotiation. The Argentine became a free agent this summer after his contract expired but the president has revealed they are doing everything to ensure that he continues with the La Liga club.
“We are in the process of getting Messi to stay. He wants to stay at Barca and we have to make sure that happens,” Laporta said.
“We all want Messi in La Liga because he is a world-class player, the best in the world, and he clearly helps to promote the league. I know Leo wants to stay and appreciate that highly. Everything is very much on the right track.”
Speaking about Griezmann, Laporta revealed he was happy with him and that he was positive the France international would honour his contract which lasts till the summer of 2024.
Reports in recent weeks suggest that Atletico Madrid are interested in bringing him back to Wanda Metropolitano in a potential exchange deal involving Saul Niguez.
“Everyone is happy with Griezmann. He’s a true professional. He has a contract with Barca and we have to respect that.”
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