Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta praised Ronald Koeman for accepting Eric Garcia could not be bought in January from Manchester City.

Laporta made reference to the famous meeting with the acting board to discuss the possible signing of Eric Garcia in January.

"Koeman was impeccable when he was with us," Laporta said of the Barça coach. "He understood the reasoning not to sign Eric Garcia.

"For sporting and financial consistency and because the statues says it's not possible (for the club to make signings without a president in place)."

On Barça's hopes of catching Atletico Madrid in La Liga, he added: "I believe in this league. There are no transition seasons."