Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta has said he would love Adama Traore to stay with the club, but admitted the club are in a difficult situation.
The Winger is currently on loan at the Catalan giants until the end of the season.
Traore headed back to where it all began for him, snubbing Tottenham Hotspur in the process.
It’s been a solid start to life back at the Nou Camp for Traore.
He’s already provided a handful of assists, and is yet to be on the losing side under Xavi.
The club are doing much better now in terms of performances and results. And their goal is to ensure they quality for next season’s Champions League.
It remains to be seen if that happens, and if Traore would still be a Barca player.
They want him, but Laporta said (as quoted by Fabrizio Romano): “We’d love Adama Traoré to stay here [buy option clause from Wolves], it’s possible – but we’re in difficult financial situation. We’ll see at the end of the season.”
When Traore was let go in January, it was reported (Sky Sports) Barca and Wolves had negotiated a £29 million option to buy clause.
That raised eyebrows. To send the player out on loan, without an obligation clause when his contract is winding down, seemed like a strange move.
Laporta’s latest comments are a concern. They give the impression that Barca are going to try and find a way around paying that £29 million option to buy clause.
There was actually a report claiming as such in recent days.
Wolves have to get tough with Barcelona over Adama Traore
It is worrying to hear Laporta talking like this.
He seems to already be laying the groundwork for Barcelona to wriggle out of paying £29 million for Traore.
Their financial problems are well documented. So why Wolves agreed to such a deal in the first place is really bizarre.
Wolves cannot dance to Barca’s tune. They need to get tough and demand straight cash. No swaps involving Francisco Trincao or Riqui Puig.
Traore only having a year left on his contract at Molineux really complicates matters.
But there is a chance a number of other clubs could be keen to sign him as well as Barca this summer. That might lead to a bidding war, which would be most ideal.