BARCELONA’S president Josep Maria Bartomeu is facing the Nou Camp axe.
The man who was at war with superstar captain Lionel Messi during a spectacular summer transfer saga, will face a vote of no confidence.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu Credit: AFP or licensors
More than 16,000 fans signed a motion against the Catalan giants’ hapless chief to trigger a referendum.
Bartomeu is guaranteed to be out by March with a presidential election scheduled and the 57-year-old unable to seek another term.
Despite Messi reluctantly being convinced to stay this season, Bartomeu’s stewardship has been slated for a number of failed signings.
SunSport casts an eye over a whole team of stars whose moves never materialised.
Andre Onana
Ajax keeper Andre Onana has been linked with BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana has caught the eye with some impressive performances between the stick and was previously linked with a move to Chelsea.
But Spanish outlet Sport claims Barcelona have been targeting the 24-year-old.
A former youth star at Barca, Onana is yet to be lured back to the Nou Camp.
Inigo Martinez
Inigo Martinez’s move to Barcelona collapsedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In 2017 Barcelona were monitoring defender Inigo Martinez with then boss Ernesto Valverde keen on poaching him from Real Sociedad.
A five-year deal was in place before Sociedad president Jokin Apperibay pulled the plug.
Martinez fumed at Apperibay for going back on his word as Barca missed out on another class operator at the back with the player sold to Atheltic Bilbao in January 2018.
Matthijs De Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt chose Juventus over BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
After excelling in the heart of Ajax’s defence in 2019, centre-back Matthijs de Ligt was high in demand.
The ball-playing defender won the Golden Boy gong in 2018 and became the Dutch club’s youngest ever aged just 19.
But Barcelona lost out in a head-to-head transfer battle with Juventus as De Ligt opted for Serie A to become a ‘more complete player’.
Eric Garcia
Eric Garcia has long been linked with a return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Manchester City centre-back has refused to pen a new deal with his heart seemingly set on a return to Catalonia.
After cutting his teeth at La Masia, the 19-year-old has consistently been linked with a move back but a transfer has yet to transpire.
Although he is likely to arrive for nothing when his City deal expires next summer, Barca have made hard work of bringing him back into the fold.
Marco Verratti
Marco Verratti turned down Barcelona to stay at PSGCredit: AFP or licensors
Barcelona reportedly had looked at landing Marco Verratti in a big-money deal in 2016.
The Catalan club wanted him to fill the void left by Xavi but despite offering a huge pay day, they failed to land their man and he remained at PSG.
Adrien Rabiot
Adrien Rabiot joined Juventus after a Barca move fell throughCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Like De Ligt, midfielder Adrien Rabiot plumped for Juventus over a move to Barca.
In the summer of 2019 he had looked certain to arrive after running down his PSG deal.
But a move collapsed with some reports claiming he saw himself playing further up the field than a No6 role and an alleged disagreement over a signing-on fee.
Willian
Willian left Chelsea for Arsenal rather than the Nou CampCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Brazilian Willian, 31, ditched Chelsea for Arsenal this summer on a free but could easily have left Stamford Bridge for the Nou Camp.
Bartomeu is said to have had TWO bids for the wideman – a £50m offer in 2018 before Chelsea rejected the £20m put on the table in January.
Memphis Depay
Barcelona could not get a deal for Lyon’s Memphis Depay over the lineCredit: Reuters
The former Manchester United flop looked set to reunite with his former international boss Ronald Koeman at Barca.
But the Lyon skipper’s £25m move to Spain came unstuck largely thanks to Barcelona’s dire financial state.
With the club unable to offload Ousmane Dembele’s hefty wages to United in a loan deal, Depay’s move fell through.
Neymar
Neymar is yet to return from PSG to BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors
Ever since he joined PSG from Barca for just shy of £200m in 2017, Neymar has been linked with a dramatic return.
And Messi is thought to have urged the board to bring back his old MSN pal.
But despite the speculation, the French giants held firm – refusing to sell their prized asset.
Lautaro Martinez
Barcelona failed to poach No1 target Lautaro Martinez from Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez was Barca’s No1 target to fill the void left by Luis Suarez’s departure this summer.
But the skint Catalan giants balked at his £90m price tag and were forced to end their pursuit of the 23-year-old Argentine.
Rodrigo
Leeds signed Rodrigo ahead of BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Before Leeds star Rodrigo was firing in equalisers against Manchester City, he was another man linked with Barca.
Valencia reportedly wanted £50m for the striker in January which was too much for Bartomeu and Co.
And Leeds snapped up the 29-year-old Spaniard for £35m in the summer window.
Manager – Xavi
Barcelona legend Xavi manages Qatari side Al Sadd Credit: AFP or licensors
Club legend Xavi was linked with a fairytale return to replace Quique Setien at the helm.
Bartomeu hinted the Al Sadd boss would be on his way back ‘sooner or later’.
But he signed a new deal with the Qatari side and Ronald Koeman was brought in instead.
Watch as furious Barcelona fans break into Nou Camp in support of Lionel Messi and demand president Bartomeu resign
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
