Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has provided an insight into the key factors behind the club’s failed pursuit of Lucas Bergvall.
The subject of Barca’s ultimately fruitless efforts to bring youngster Bergvall in have of course dominated the Spanish media headlines over the last 24 hours.
This comes after word was forthcoming that, despite weeks of negotiations, the Blaugrana had been beaten out for the Swede’s signature.
After travelling to north London to discuss a potential deal with Tottenham Hotspur, Bergvall was quickly convinced, in turn set to put pen to paper on terms with the Lilywhites at some point on Friday.
Just why, though, did Barcelona miss out?
The Catalans were viewed as the runaway favourites for the Djurgårdens talent’s signature throughout the January window, with many an outlet having gone as far as to assure that the transfer was all but imminent.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s return to action this weekend, the aforementioned Xavi, in turn, was inevitably drawn on the situation.
And the 44-year-old, as cited by Sport, went on to highlight two key factors in Spurs beating his side to the punch – the lure of first-team football, and a superior economic offer.
“Bergvall to Tottenham? It’s the market,” Xavi began. “It’s the economic issue. The 16-year-old players want to go directly to the first team.”
“We made an offer, but that’s the law of the market. A club offered more and we considered that we should not offer more.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
