Laporta: Pep Wants Eto’o Stay; Barca Still In Villa Race

There have been various reports and speculation over the past week about Barcelona’s activities in the transfer market, especially where players such as Samuel Eto’o, David Villa and Robinho are concerned.

The club’s president, Joan Laporta has decided to come out and shed some light about their current dealings while he continues to take a jab at ferocious foes, Real Madrid.

The main topic of discussion was undoubtedly Eto’o and the drawn-out contract talks and for the umpteenth time, Laporta has reiterated his desire to see the Cameroonian remain at the Camp Nou.

“He has only a year left in his contract and it is normal to meet to discuss his plans, the evaluate his conditions, and to look for the best solution,” he said in an interview in Onda Cero program, ‘Al Primer Toque’.

“I want him to remain at Barca for many more years to come and Pep Guardiola shares the same sentiment,” he added, quashing rumors that the coach wants the striker gone due to destabilizing, on-going arguments between the pair.

Laporta then went on to touch briefly on each player that the Blaugrana have been recently linked to, from Franck Ribery to Filipe Luis.

“Bayern does not want to sell Ribery. As for Villa, there have been conversations with Valencia and no one has ever told me that he prefers to go to Madrid,” he divulged.

“Robinho is an outstanding player, but I do not know of any contacts with him. [Javier] Mascherano is also a great player, while Filipe is interested.

“The claims made my Inter regarding [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic are very significant, but I do not know how this episode will end.”

The focus then shifted to their arch nemesis and the Blaugrana chief did not miss the opportunity to slate Los Blancos and their president, Florentino Perez again.

“Barca and Madrid have two very different models. One has a culture of enterprise and industry while the other has a ruthless obsession with money and power,” he emphasized.

“That’s the only way to explain what Madrid have done, the way they just break into the transfer market no matter the cost, without considering the negative connotations.

“But now, they will be under even more pressure because of the magnitude of their investment.”

KS Leong, Goal.com