By Mark Doyle
Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that the club hope to sign three players this summer.
Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Espanyol on Saturday night handed the Blaugrana their fourth title in five seasons but the Catalans’ humiliating 7-0 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League has impressed upon the club’s hierarchy the need to strengthen during the close-season.
“Victor Valdes has told us that he will not continue, so we need to try to find a replacement goalkeeper this summer,” Bartomeu is quoted as saying by SPORT. “But also a central defender and a forward.”
The Blaugrana director also insisted that Barca do not need to be completely rebuilt, arguing that had they been in better physical condition they would have beaten Bayern.
“If it had not been for that [their alleged end-of-season fatigue], we would have played in the Champions League final,” he argued.
Therefore, Bartomeu believes that there is no need for doom and gloom and that the club’s fans should enjoy their Liga title-winning parade.
“It is a celebration that the team deserves, especially [coach Tito] Vilanova and [defender Eric] Abidal, but also all of the people who have been following Barca,” he enthused.
“We must be grateful to these players. The first half of the season was spectacular. Things are still going well, so we have much to celebrate.”
Vilanova and Abidal have both battled back from cancer to play their part in this season’s title triumph.
