Joan Laporta has criticised Gavi‘s agent, Ivan de la Pena, for being unwilling to respond to Barcelona‘s offer of a new contract for the 17-year-old.
The Barcelona president sat down with L’Esportiu to discuss a range of topics, and he started by praising Xavi Hernandez for the job he has done so far.
“Xavi [Hernandez] has done very well,” Laporta said.
“[But] we had a disastrous end to the season.
“I am disappointed with the team’s attitude.”
Gavi
Laporta then spoke about Gavi‘s future, stating that De la Pena has not yet responded about his new contract offer.
“The new contract offer was on the table for [Gavi‘s] agent a long time ago,” he explained.
“We haven’t heard that he has accepted it.
“What we have heard is that he is comparing it and that he will have something to say soon.
“We have already told him our position and, right now, the player’s agent isn’t accepting it.”
The Barcelona president then went on to criticise the agent for his actions.
“Gavi is a player that we all like,” Laporta noted.
“He is 17 years old, he has a magnificent present and future at Barcelona.
“We don’t understand why his agent is playing games and comparing offers.
“I think that the club’s offer, given our salary levels, is more than acceptable.”
Laporta stated that Barcelona will by no means go above what they have already offered.
“We will not go above these salary levels, because I don’t want Barcelona to follow the line that those who came before us did and which led Barcelona to ruin,” he said.
Lewandowski
Laporta also stated that it is unlikely that Robert Lewandowski will join the club this summer.
“He has a year left on his Bayern Munich contract and that is the situation,” he stated.
“And that’s it, I can’t say more than that.
“We will let everyone get on with their work.
“He is a top-quality player, one that we like a lot as well, but he has a contract.”
