Broke-but-big: Barcelona respond to Bayern’s criticism over Lewandowski deal

Barcelona have been labeled all summer as a team that doesn’t have money to spend with key players being owed wages and bonuses

Bayern Munich were reluctant to allow star attacker, Robert Lewandowski leave for the Camp Nou and their coach, Julian Nagelsmann expressed surprise as to how Barcelona have managed to do business.

Criticism has been rife, with English pundit and former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville, the latest of the high-profile critics of the Barcelona model.

Does he know he doesn’t get paid his full wages if they want rid of him?? https://t.co/M6iHfQSNyu

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 28, 2022

Blaugrana President, Joan Laporta has however responded and described the claims as ‘distorted reality’ and a show of the ignorance of Barca’s size.

“What they are doing is distorting reality. They do not know the value of Barcelona.

“To those who are surprised, I say that we are very awake. We are back on the market. The weight, strength and value of an entity with more than 122 years of history is a lot.”

Barcelona have sold 25% of their broadcasting rights to American global investment company, Sixth Street for 25 years, up to the tune of €315m. They are also willing to part with 49.9% of their Barça Licensing and Merchandise (BLM), the organisation responsible for retail and marketing.

Laporta had said of the club’s business when the agreement with Sixth Street was signed.

“We continue to move forward on our strategy and are pleased to have completed this additional agreement with Sixth Street providing us with a meaningful increase in capital strength.

“Over the past few weeks, we and Sixth Street have engaged and collaborated with a shared understanding of what we are seeking to achieve for our organisation, and we look forward to our long-term partnership.”

Despite their publicly-reported financial struggles, Barcelona have signed Raphinha, Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and have completed a deal with Jules Kounde.