In a candid interview with Cadena SER, Bartomeu opened up on his highly criticised premiership at Barcelona.
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Following the loss of Neymar, who joined PSG for a world record €222 million, the club were worried they could lose another superstar.
The former president explained that they became aware of a €400m operation attempting to sign prime Messi.
“A few weeks after Neymar’s departure, rumours began to circulate that a club was preparing €400 million for Messi - the amount of his release clause,” he said.
“Funds from an Arab country were transferred to accounts in Europe.
“It doesn’t matter now… that’s old news; it was years ago. There are very few clubs in England, or state-owned clubs, that can afford such sums.”