Barcelona Transfer News: Nolito Failure, Josep Bartomeu Slammed by Joan Laporta

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has criticised what he calls the "economic mismanagement" of current incumbent Josep Bartomeu at the club. His comments follow the Catalan side's failure to sign Celta Vigo forward Nolito, according to Juan Jimenez of Spanish publication AS.

Laporta tweeted his complaints against the Bartomeu regime, according to Jimenez, and the ex-Barca chief said: “The board of directors at FCB is showing its incompetence because sporting success revolves around the economic situation of the entity.”

Jimenez points out how Laporta's ire is mostly focused on Barca's "burgeoning first-team wage bill that has left the club lacking the liquidity to bring in reinforcements at the moment."

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press/Associated Press

One potential new recruit was supposed to be Nolito, but Barcelona's unwillingness or inability to pay the player's €18 million release clause has meant the 29-year-old attacker will stay put, according to AS reporter Moises Llorens.

He details how Celta turned down a proposal from the Camp Nou to loan Nolito until the end of the current season before meeting the release clause.

While Laporta may be right, it should also be noted how Barca's squad isn't exactly aching for reinforcements. Manager Luis Enrique has top players at every position, including Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan, who officially became eligible to play this month once the club's transfer ban had elapsed.

But if there's one area where Enrique would likely welcome a few new faces, it's up front. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are the most gifted trio in Europe, but the depth behind them is lacking, with 20-year-old Munir El Haddadi regularly drafted in to cover.

Enrique himself recently indicated his desire to sign another forward, per Reuters (h/t the Guardian). Celta's No. 10 would have been a perfect fit after bagging eight goals and supplying five assists in La Liga this season, according to WhoScored.com.

It's perhaps not surprising that Laporta is so openly critical of Bartomeu's presidency. After all, the former failed to unseat Bartomeu in the 2015 election, despite backing from club legends Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff, per Jimenez.

But if Barca's failure to add to their options up front ultimately undermines the club trying to defend a treble this season, Laporta will win a few more supporters of his views.