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      From Neymar and Martinez to De Ligt and Depay, Bartomeu failed to sign an entire team’s worth of stars as he faces axe

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      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.

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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 More

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      Lionel Messi ‘has held clear the air Barcelona talks and resolved his issue with club’ after transfer saga over summer

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      LIONEL MESSI has resolved his issues with Barcelona and ‘it’s positive that he stayed’, according to Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni.
      Messi bagged the winner from the penalty spot in Argentina’s 1-0 triumph over Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

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      Lionel Messi has resolved his issues with Barcelona according to his Argentina bossCredit: Reuters

      And before the game, his international manager revealed he is pleased the 33-year-old superstar remained at the Nou Camp despite an explosive transfer saga.
      Scaloni said: “I spoke to Leo when everything was resolved and I saw him calm.
      “Since his arrival, we’ve been able to have a long chat.
      “He is happy to be here. He’s now well in his club.

      I spoke to Leo when everything was resolved and I saw him calm. He’s now well in his club. For us, it’s positive that he stayed.”
      Lionel ScaloniArgentina boss

      “All we wanted from a distance was for everything to be resolved and for him to play and to be fit.
      “For us, it’s positive that he stayed because he was able to play immediately, he knows the club, but in terms of decisions, we don’t get involved in that, we don’t step in the player’s territory.”
      Messi sensationally revealed he wanted to leave the Catalan giants in the summer.
      Fresh from the 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich, Messi revealed he wanted to pursue a new challenge.

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      Messi bagged the winner for Argentina against EcuadorCredit: AFP or licensors

      But after weeks of intensive speculation and a falling out with president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner made an emotional U-turn.
      Messi revealed his kids were in tears after he told them of his plans to leave and eventually decided he could not take the club he loves to court in order to force an exit.
      Barca’s skipper faced more hardship when new boss Ronald Koeman booted best pal and neighbour Luis Suarez out of the club.
      Suarez joined Atletico Madrid for a bargain £5.5million and Messi publicly bashed the club saying his friend ‘deserved better’.
      Now the talismanic forward is facing another pay cut as skint Barcelona look to alter the contracts of ALL employees.

      Lionel Messi trains with the Barcelona squad More

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      Wijnaldum claims Barcelona transfer interest ‘was not that serious’ and hints at new Liverpool contract

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      GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM has insisted his rumoured move to Barcelona was never likely to happen.
      The LaLiga giants were heavily linked with Wijnaldum throughout the transfer window but he stayed put at Liverpool.

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      Georginio Wijnaldum’s four-year stint with Liverpool will continue after Barcelona failed to sign the midfielderCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      With the Dutchman’s contract up at the end of a season, a move to the Nou Camp is still reportedly on offer but he believes a fresh deal at Liverpool is also possible.
      Wijnaldum told reporters: “I don’t think [the interest] was that serious.
      “Otherwise you would have read a bit more, or more would have happened. There was nothing precise.

      “The way it looks now, I will stay in Liverpool.
      “My contract is valid for another 10 months and that can change.
      “You never know in football. We will see what happens.”
      It had been reported that Wijnaldum was leaving Liverpool to make way for Thiago Alcantara.

      But the former Newcastle star, 29, has completed every minute of the Reds’ title defence thus far, including the recent 7-2 defeat by Aston Villa.

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      Meanwhile, Barcelona completed a relatively quiet market in terms of incomings, with only Sergino Dest purchased during the window.
      They shifted Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez, Nelson Semedo and Rafinha off their wage bill, but failed with a deadline day bid for Memphis Depay.
      The £22million deal was reliant on Ousmane Dembele leaving the Catalans and, with Manchester United not interested in a permanent deal for the winger, Depay stayed at Lyon.

      Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez reunited for first time since striker’s Barcelona axe as they arrive at airport together More

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      Memphis Depay opens up over failed Barcelona transfer as Lyon star reveals ‘it was nearly done but rules stopped it’

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      MEMPHIS DEPAY explained his failed move to Barcelona from Lyon was ‘nearly done but rules stopped it’.
      Former Manchester United flop Depay, 26, looked set to join the Catalan giants on deadline day.

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      Holland international Memphis Depay nearly joined Barcelona on deadline dayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The French side had reportedly dropped their asking price down to £23million to facilitate a move.
      But skint Barca could not sign off on a deal after Ousmane Dembele rejected a move to United – leaving them still liable for his hefty salary.
      When asked how close he came to arriving at the Nou Camp, Depay told Dutch media: “Yes, it was pretty close.
      “We don’t have to go into all the details, but indeed we were nearly done. 

      “Unfortunately, certain rules stopped it. I believe that everything in my life happens for a reason. If it has to happen, it will happen.”
      Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed Depay was disappointed and will push for a January move to Spain.
      At a press conference on Wednesday, he said: “He is going to do everything he can to find himself in a position where he moves there in January.”
      Depay added: “It is going as it should, that’s how I live life.

      “I have to focus on Lyon again, be important and then we’ll see how things go. 
      “Nobody can see into the future. If I just do my thing, interest will remain. Maybe it will work then. I have to switch that switch now.”
      Depay was keen to reunite with his former international boss Ronald Koeman at Barca.
      Koeman quit as Holland boss to replace Quique Setien in the Spanish club’s hot seat in August and was the driving force behind the collapsed move.
      Barca are looking to make ALL employees take a pay cut after reporting post-tax losses of £88m for 2019-20.

      Olympique Lyonnais star Memphis Depay shows off his physique as he works out at his luxury villa More

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      Memphis Depay disappointed with Barcelona over failed transfer but will do all he can to join in January, confirm Lyon

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      Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed Memphis Depay is disappointed his dream move to Barcelona fell through on deadline day.
      The clubs had agreed a £22million fee plus add-ons for the ex-Manchester United forward, but the cash-strapped LaLiga giants were unable to raise the necessary funds to make the transfer happen on Monday.

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      Memphis Depay saw a transfer to Barcelona fall through on deadline day

      Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Aulas reflected on the transfer saga and believes Depay, who has a year left on his Lyon contract, will push for a move to Barca when the window reopens in January.
      Aulas said: “Since the beginning I have been clear with Memphis.
      “I spoke with President Bartomeu at Barcelona twice, he told me he couldn’t see how things could happen.
      “I know that Koeman made him continue to hope and that Memphis was ready to make sacrifices.

      “Today, he is disappointed, but not towards Lyon, more towards Barcelona.
      “He is going to do everything he can to find himself in a position where he moves there in January.
      “Rudi Garcia, he fought with everything he had for Memphis to stay.
      “I have not abandoned the idea of extending [Depay’s] contract, but as he has always said no, it looks difficult to do.”

      Barca scrambled on deadline day to push through a deal for Depay, but Ousmane Dembele’s decision to stay at the club instead of joining Man United on loan ultimately closed the door on a move for the Dutchman.
      The Catalans were able to offload Rafinha to Paris Saint-Germain and defender Jean-Clair Todibo to Benfica but it was too little too late.
      It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will return for Depay in January as Aulas says but there could be a new man in charge at the Nou Camp by then, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu facing a vote of no confidence.

      Ousmane Dembele ‘agrees to join Man Utd as Red Devils thrashes out personal terms and transfer agreement with Barcelona’ More

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      Barcelona announce losses of £88m and £443m debt despite slashing wages as effects of coronavirus crisis is laid bare

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      BARCELONA have announced after-tax losses of £88million due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
      Figures for the 2019-20 season show Barcelona closed the year with a revenue of £777m, down £122.5m from last year, well below their record-breaking £909m (€1billion) forecast.

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      Barcelona have felt the full economic impact of the coronavirus

      Despite slashing player wages by 70 per cent during the pandemic, the club also disclosed debts of £443million after feeling the full economic impact of coronavirus.
      Barcelona’s financial report points out £99million has been invested in the Espai Barca project to redevelop the Camp Nou, so the club’s adjusted debt would be £344million.
      The report also explains the figures released do not include revenue from competitions which carried on beyond June 30 – the end date of the 2019-20 financial year – such as La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
      Barca also missed out on gate receipts with matches being played behind closed doors, while a lack of tourists due to travel restrictions meant other sources of income such as the Camp Nou stadium tour and megastore saw major losses.

      In March, Barcelona’s players agreed to a 70 per cent pay cut – and donated an additional two per cent – so the club’s non-sporting staff could be paid their own salaries in full.
      President Josep Maria Bartomeu is also thought to have approached the players in May to discuss a further pay cut, which did not go down well.
      Before March’s reduction, Barcelona’s first team wage bill stood at £355m per year, thought to be the highest in world football.
      The club maintains that if not for the economic effects of the pandemic, they would have been on course to reach their £909m estimate for the year, which would have seen them post a £1.8m profit.

      In a desperate attempt to balance the books this summer, Barcelona made almost all of their players available for sale in the transfer market.
      Lionel Messi was one of the exceptions although even he seemed close to leaving the club – and offloading his £500,000-a-week wages would certainly have helped their financial position.
      Barca did manage a mini-clear out of some of the club’s highest earners with Ivan Rakitic (£150,000-a-week), Arturo Vidal (£165,000-week), Nelson Semedo (£75,000-a-week) and Luis Suarez (£290,000-a-week) all departing.
      Additionally, Arthur was sold to Juventus and Miralem Pjanic brought in to help both clubs avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions.
      The financial report revealed the Catalan giants had spent £1.5billion on transfers over the past ten seasons, recouping £858m for a net spend of £671m in the last decade.
      The accounts have been published ahead of the club’s Original General Assembly on October 25.

      Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez reunited for first time since striker’s Barcelona axe as they arrive at airport together More

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      Ousmane Dembele blew Barcelona’s chances of landing Memphis Depay by refusing to join Man Utd on loan transfer

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      OUSMANE DEMBELE’s refusal to leave Barcelona ‘closed the door’ on the signing of Memphis Depay, according to reports.
      Manchester United came close to signing Dembele on loan on deadline day but the Frenchman turned his back on the deal after Barca said they would only sanction the move if he signed a one-year contract extension at the club.

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      Ousmane Dembele decided against a move to Old Trafford

      Mundo Deportivo reports Dembele’s departure would have freed up funds for a move for Lyon forward Depay but his decision to stay denied the ex-Man United man a dream move to the Camp Nou.
      Depay, 26, agreed personal terms with Barcelona weeks ago, and the Catalan giants had reportedly agreed a transfer fee with Lyon of £22million plus add-ons.
      Ex-Netherlands manager and new Barca boss Ronald Koeman had been keen to reunite with the player after working with him at international level.
      Whether Dembele has a future at Barcelona under Koeman is still uncertain.

      The 23-year-old did not train with the side yesterday, leaving Barca’s training ground soon after arrival amidst rumours of a move to the Premier League.

      Koeman confirmed last week Ansu Fati was currently ahead of Dembele in the pecking order, while new signings Francisco Trincao and Pedri have been preferred from the bench in Barca’s last two games.
      Dembele made just nine appearances for Barcelona last season and has struggled with injuries throughout his time in Spain.
      After warming to the idea of a move to Man United, perhaps thanks to some convincing from Paul Pogba, the 23-year-old was not happy with Barcelona changing the terms of the deal.

      Cash-strapped Barcelona were initially only willing to listen to permanent offers for Dembele or a loan with an obligation to buy.
      But after Man United offered to pay a substantial loan fee, as well as cover Dembele’s large salary, Barca began to change their stance.

      However, the La Liga side wanted Dembele to extend his contract with the club until 2023, which the ex-Borussia Dortmund winger did not accept.
      With Dembele’s current deal running out in 2022, Barca hoped a renewal would give them the upper hand in any transfer negotiations over the player next summer.
      Barca did manage to sell Rafinha Alcantara to PSG before the close of the window but it was too late to secure the signing of Depay.

      Ousmane Dembele ‘agrees to join Man Utd as Red Devils thrashes out personal terms and transfer agreement with Barcelona’ More

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      Lionel Messi is a God but the current mess Barcelona are in shows even he may be running out of miracles

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      THINGS are bound to look better after a 4-0 victory.
      I’m not talking about West Ham’s against Wolves, although that certainly brightened our start to the season.

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      LIonel Messi decided to stick around at Barcelona – but it might just be for one more seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

      No, it was Barcelona’s against Villarreal.
      In Catalonia at least, Barca are regarded as the biggest club in the world, the best-supported club in the world — with the best player in the world.
      The fact they failed to win LaLiga last season, they haven’t won the Champions’ League in five years, lost a fortune and two managers in a few months and that Lionel Messi was set to go elsewhere a few weeks ago is considered by millions of supporters to be temporary and misleading.
      That may well be. But even the current Barca are regarded by the owners as a mess brought about by the policies of the people who voted them onto the board.

      Because, as you may well know, the club is owned by the fans.
      This is both a strength and a weakness.
      Strength is the democratic connection between supporters and the club; weakness can be in overall management structure.
      No fewer than 11 of 21 directors have left in recent times.

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      Ronald Koeman is the new man in the Barca dugoutCredit: Reuters

      In the immediate post-Pep Guardiola years, the team maintained their success rate, winning LaLiga repeatedly and the treble in 2014-15.
      This was quite a feat for Josep Maria Bartomeu, who was appointed emergency president in 2014 before being elected two years later.
      Neymar’s sale to Paris Saint-Germain in the same year coincided with a change in fortunes.
      Soon the erosion was to become a landslide.
      And there is no doubt that the ageing team was badly mishandled. Led by Messi, the veteran players oozed power.
      Managers came and went — Gerardo Martino, Luis Enrique, Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien.

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      Messi is sticking aorund for another year, then tipped to join Manchester CityCredit: AFP or licensors
      Players did the same and nearly £1billion was spent on no fewer than 28 of them.
      Neymar broke away from the famous MSN formation, departing for a world-record £200m, and now Luis Suarez has gone to Atletico Madrid, leaving only the unhappy Messi.
      Most of us would be happy on a reputed £600,000-a-week but the great Argentinian knows a slump when he plays in it.
      He already seems determined to leave at the end of his contract next year and he will re-start his career at 34, possibly with mentor Guardiola at Manchester City.
      Like Sir Alex Ferguson, Guardiola has the ability to re-create champions.
      Bartomeu said he will not stand for re-election next year, deserting new boss Ronald Koeman, once renowned as a free-kick scorer during six seasons at Barca.

      As a manager of nine clubs, including Southampton and Everton, free kicks are about all his teams have won.
      And this Barcelona is no free kick of a job. He has been chosen, I suspect, to be the tough guy Bartomeu requires.
      The haste and lack of appreciation with which Suarez was hustled away to Atletico is Koeman’s statement.
      Messi was so upset he claimed his mate was ‘thrown out.’
      Messi is a God in Catalonia but he is running short of football miracles.
      Barcelona’s dependence on him may have become a deadweight and it is certainly possible that a new president will have a clearer view once he goes. More