Barça president Bartomeu on Dembele's injury, Valverde & Messi's contract
Bartomeu says the players are delighted with their new coach
He also reiterated that Messi's new terms have been signed
Barcelona president Josep María Bartomeu has given an extensive interview to ‘El Rondo’ on TVE, which is directed and presented by Albert Lesan.
In his first interview since the injury to Ousmane Dembele, he said: "He will be back and he will show us all what we have already seen. I have spoken with him, he’s affected, but that’s normal. He told me he knows everything will be OK, though, and that he’s in good hands. By Wednesday or Thursday he will be back in Barcelona."
Bartomeu added that, if his recovery goes to plan, "he could return in January, I hope so because that would represent a nice present for all Barcelona fans on Three Kings."
The president revealed that Robert Fernandez wanted to sign him last year "but he [Dembele] told us he wasn't sure how much he played with the forwards at Barça." Neymar's exit, therefore, "made us go back for him, a player who may be young but has experience."
He also spoke about new coach Ernesto Valverde: "We’re starting a new era with him and we have a lot of faith in him. He’s smart, he believes in Barcelona, in our system. He manages the games well and he’s not disappointed us. The players are delighted with him. He’s earned the esteem of all Barcelona fans in just a few weeks. Things are going really well in La Liga and the Champions League."
Lionel Messi's renewal was also a hot topic once again.
"The contract’s been signed by his father, by his foundation… but it’s lacking one signature and the photograph, but we will do that," Bartomeu said.
"You can see his commitment on the pitch. We speak with him. Messi will be at Barcelona for as long as he wants. He’s the best player in the world; the best player in history. The contract’s already been audited."
On the failed move for Philippe Coutinho, he said: "[Liverpool] asked for 200 million euros. But we weren’t going to give 200 million or 150 million. We decided to step away from such an expensive market. Our offer was less than 100 million, with variables it could have reached 120 million.
"There are clubs that bring money in from out of football and make [the market] more expensive. There’s nothing else planned for January [with Coutinho]. We have to invest in La Masia and the academy.
"We have to be strong with FIFA and UEFA and clubs have to respect the rules. I am happy with the investigation into PSG, which is a request made by European clubs."
