Laporta: "I have sweet dreams whenever I think about Messi"
Barça's president spoke during Emerson Royal's presentation: "All of the new signings we have made can be registered but we ask LaLiga to be flexible".
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is not only confident that Leo Messi will sign his new contract soon, but also all of the club's summer signings can be registered with LaLiga, who he is asking to be flexible so that they can make other signings.
Laporta spoke during Emerson Royal's official presentation at Camp Nou today where he confessed, "Every night I have sweet dreams when I think of Messi. We're doing everything possible for him to be here, negotiations are going well, in the direction we hoped. We are dealing with it and Messi wants to continue, we have to make sure he does. I'm thankful that he wants to stay".
Apart from Messi, Laporta added that, "We will be able to register all of the new players we have brought in within Fair Play parameters, but we would ask LaLiga for more flexibility, like in other countries, so that we can make more signings. While we don't have any room to manoeuvre within Fair Play restrictions, we can't sign anyone else".
When asked for an update on the situation regarding Antoine Griezmann, whose proposed departure would resolve Barça's salary problem, he said, "We are all happy with Griezmann. He fights just as hard as the rest, he is a great professional. There was some interest in the market but we are in the same situation as before and if he doesn't request to leave then we will take responsibility of his contract".
As for the talks with the team's captains to reduce their wages, Laporta said that negotiations are running smoothly: "We are in the negotiation phase to reach agreements with several players and we have seen that they put the club before their own personal interests,which is something I would like to thank them for. As a team, we have recovered the intensity and attractive style of football. The new players are making their claim for a place in the side".
The president also sent out a clear message to Ilaix Moriba: "That's a case that shouldn't happen again. It's a situation that we cannot accept, and we have to send a message about our policy regarding the youth academy. If he doesn't want to renew, he knows that there are other solutions open to him. We don't want players who we have educated and brought through our youth system to turn around in their final year and say that they don't want to renew. He's a great player but I don't like what is happening. Hopefully it can be resolved and we can reach an agreement, but we won't accept a situation where he doesn't realise what we have done for him. Whoever wants to leave is free to do so. Unfortunately, that's the way it is".