Bartomeu has his say about signing Neymar and Luataro

Barcelona will be unable to complete a deal to sign either Laurato Martinez from Inter or PSG attacker Neymar this summer, according to president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Although both players have long been linked with a switch to Camp Nou - in particular the Argentina attacker - Bartomeu has admitted that the coronavirus crisis has put the club’s finances into a state of uncertainty to the extent that they cannot complete a deal for either.

Barca fans had been hoping that the offensive line would be reinforced this summer after looking threadbare at times last season, with Martin Braithwaite signed from Leganes as emergency cover due to an injury crisis at the club. Bartomeu has now indicated that it is simply not possible.

“Barca have spoken to Inter about Lautaro over the last few weeks but the conversations have been put on hold by mutual consent. The current situation doesn't allow for major transfer fees,” he admitted to Sport before confessing that Brazil star Neymar is similarly out of reach.

“In the current situation, no. PSG don't want to sell either, which makes sense as he's one of the best players in the world. Last summer we tried really hard to sign him but this summer we won't even try.