Barcelona players’ wages not paid

BARCELONA president Sandro Rosell yesterday sensationally revealed the extent of the financial worries at Barcelona, admitting the players’ wages for last month have not been paid.

Rosell formally succeeded Joan Laporta as president last week and has already sold Dmitro Chygrynskiy to former side Shakhtar Donetsk for €15 million to alleviate the club’s “liquidity problems”.

That move came as something of a surprise as, even though the defender had struggled for first-team football, coach Pep Guardiola had stated his intention to hold onto him.

But Rosell explained his administration were forced to act, both with that sale and by seeking further funds from banks.

“We found a club in debt, with liquidity problems,” he said. “At this point we have to take a loan to pay the wages of the players. The squad were supposed to be paid at the end of last month and still haven’t been. We’ll fix a loan of €150m. The banks know that we have a business plan that will allow them to recover the money. The club is not bankrupt because it generates income.”

Despite the financial situation – and the purchase of David Villa – Rosell insists there is still as much as €89m to spend on new blood.

“There will be €50m to sign more players,” he said. “This is the case every year. This is our plan for the future.

“Technically, as of now we have €50m plus 15 for Chygrynskiy and 24 for (Yaya) Toure. In total, €89m.”

That may not be good news for Arsenal fans, who want their captain, Cesc Fabregas, remain in London.

With Fabregas seemingly keen to return to the Nou Camp, it has become the summer’s protracted transfer saga.

However Rosell, who is due to travel to South Africa shortly, where he hopes to meet with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, wants the issue sorted as soon as possible.