Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reaffirmed the club’s decision to reject a record-breaking transfer offer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for emerging talent Lamine Yamal.
In a significant revelation, Laporta disclosed that PSG had submitted an astonishing bid of €250 million for the then teenage prodigy as he was making strides into the first team under head coach Xavi.
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Speaking on Cadena SER, Laporta stated, “We had a formal offer of 250 million (euros) for Lamine, through his agent and confirmed with people from PSG.”
He elaborated on the club’s reasoning, saying, “At the time they came, explained it to us face to face and we said no, it was a time when Barça was in great difficulty.”
As discussions about squad management continue, Laporta also touched upon the future of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, who is set to become a free agent this season.
The Barcelona president expressed his sentiments, saying, “First, because he’s a very talented player, a goalscorer, and always on fire when he comes on. And then because there’s another very clear point: if he wants to stay, I’ve always given great players another year on their contract as a token of appreciation.”
Laporta further reflected on Lewandowski’s decision to join Barcelona, stating, “I’m very grateful to Lewandowski because it wasn’t easy to come to Barça, and he said, ‘Because of my quality and my track record at Bayern, I want to play for Barça now because I’ve always wanted to, and you have to let me go.'”
The president added, “He gave up a lot to come to Barça, and that’s why I’m so grateful to him.”
