Barca must buy to fend of Madrid

The current president wants to add to the signing
of Aleix Vidal if they are to fend off competition
from their historic rivals
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says
the club must continue to invest in the transfer
market if they are to stay ahead of Real Madrid.
Barca marched to a historic treble this season,
adding the Champions League to their league and
cup domestic double.
Sevilla’s Aleix Vidal is currently the club’s only
summer signing, though he won’t be eligible to
play until Barca’s current transfer ban is lifted in
January.
"We can't let up and by so doing hand our rivals,
such as Real Madrid, the advantage. They are
actively buying and selling players in the transfer
market,” he told a supporters group.
“The executive board should carry out functions
that benefit the club,” he added.
“Barça must strive to make the team more
competitive for the coming season."
Bartomeu is facing competition from former chief
Joan Laporta in the presidential elections, to be
held July 18, though local reports have him ahead
in the polls.
Marquee transfer signings have historically led
presidential campaigns and Laporta has suggested
he intends to bring Juventus and France midfielder
Paul Pogba to the club.
Bartomeu has been indicted by a Spanish judge on
charges of tax fraud over his part in the deal that
brought Neymar to the club in June 2013.