Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has joined the growing chorus of critics of Barcelona’s summer splurge.
The financial struggles of La Blaugrana are well documented, and the club has been selling off assets in an effort to balance the books while still splashing out on pricey acquisitions like Raphinha, Jules Kounde, and Robert Lewandowski, who cost close to €200 million.
In an interview with kicker, Klopp acknowledged having witnessed a similar situation at his old club Borussia Dortmund but questioned how Barcelona had overcome their difficulties to achieve success.
“Not for a variety of reasons,” he said when asked about Barcelona’s spending. “One reason is I am not a financial professional.
“The second: If I’m told I don’t have any money, then I don’t spend anything anymore. My credit card has also been cut up twice, luckily that was a few years ago. I’m watching this like a football fan, I don’t understand.
“Barcelona have been outstanding for the past few decades that I have been watching football and I hope they pull it off.
“The only club I know that ever sold the stadium and other assets in advance was Borussia Dortmund. Aki Watzke had to come at the last second and save the whole thing, and I don’t know if there is an Aki Watzke in Barcelona.”
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has previously responded against those who have criticised the club’s expenditures, calling them ‘distorting reality’.
