Why Barcelona failed to sign striker Rodrigo, according to Valencia
Valencia president Anil Murthy has revealed why Barcelona failed to sign Spanish striker Rodrigo Moreno in January.
With Luiz Suarez expected to be out long-term, Barca were keen to add a striker to their squad in January but a potential move for Rodrigo fell through after they failed to agree a fee with Valencia.
Rodrigo’s failed Barca move: Five things to know…
- Barcelona were chasing a striker during January due to an injury to Luis Suarez.
- The Catalan giants showed a late interest in Valencia forward Rodrigo Moreno.
- Atletico Madrid were also linked the Spanish international in October.
- However, like Atleti, Barca could not agree a fee for the striker.
- Valencia president Anil Murthy said they would not entertain offers ‘not backed by money’.
Barcelona had a quiet January after failing to sign a striker to cover to for the injured Luis Suarez.
The Catalan club were linked with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Edinson Cavani throughout January. They also tried to negotiate a deal with Valencia for Spanish forward Rodrigo but, according to Los Ches president Anil Murthy, they did not receive a good enough bid.
“For Rodrigo, Valencia did not receive a suitable offer that reflected the high quality of the player,” Murthy said in an interview with website Batzine.
“Everyone in the market knows what Valencia were asking for. And if you can offer with real cash, then great. If you can’t guarantee an exact kind of payment, then we can’t go through with it.
“We’ll not entertain offers which are not backed by money, because it also destabilises the player. In the end, if the offer is very good, then you have to accept because as a responsible club, before you buy you must sell.
“You’ve got to manage your finances. For Rodrigo, it’s normal – last time was Atletico, now was Barca.”
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Barcelona have struggled since Suarez picked up his injury and crashed out of the Copa del Rey when they lost to Athletic Bilbao due to a late Sergio Busquets own goal.
They are currently three points behind leaders Real Madrid who they face in a crucial game on March 1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. But they first turn their focus on an away trip to mid-table Real Betis this weekend.
