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Joan Laporta hints Barcelona will be active in January market

Joan Laporta hints Barcelona will be active in January market
© Reuters
Barcelona president Joan Laporta suggests that his team will be looking to improve their squad during the January transfer window.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has suggested that his team will be look to bring in more players when the January transfer window opens for business.

Despite their financial issues, the Catalan giants were active during the summer market, with Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso all making moves to Camp Nou.

Barcelona are again being linked with a number of players ahead of the opening of the winter window, and Laporta has said that the team are "working" to boost their squad in the middle of the 2022-23 campaign.

"This team is building itself. There are still adjustments to be made that will make it even better," Laporta told Barca TV.

"We are working for the winter market. We are in talks with the sporting staff and the coaching staff, with the intention of constantly improving this team."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta pictured on August 5, 2022© Reuters

Barcelona continue to be linked with Lionel Messi, as the Argentina international prepares to enter the final six months of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Laporta was not prepared to discuss a possible return for the attacker when asked whether the club were planning to make an attempt to re-sign him in 2023.

"Messi is a PSG player now and we have to respect that, I can't talk about his return now," he added.

The 35-year-old has been in strong form for his French club this season, scoring eight goals and registering eight assists in 13 appearances, and he is set to return from a calf injury against Marseille on Sunday.

Messi shocked the world of football when he left Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, with the La Liga giants unable to sign him to a new contract due to their financial issues.

Lionel Messi in action for Argentina on September 27, 2022© Reuters

Laporta recently revealed that the club are planning to build a statue of Messi outside Camp Nou.

"Of course we will build Leo Messi a statue outside Camp Nou, right beside the Johan Cruyff one. The decision has been taken and we're working on it," he said earlier this week.

"We want to honour Messi, the best player in history. I'll see him in Paris on Monday (at the Ballon d'Or ceremony)," Laporta continued. "I know that Barca means a lot to Messi."

"We are aware of the importance of honouring Messi, there are many people who still wear his shirts."

The South American scored 672 goals and registered 302 assists in 777 appearances for Barcelona before his exit, winning 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey crowns and four Champions League trophies.

As it stands, Messi could return to Camp Nou on a free transfer next June, but PSG are still believed to be hopeful of signing him to another contract.

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Matt Law

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta pictured on August 5, 2022
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4Athletic Bilbao271310445242149
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6Real BetisBetis2711883533241
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9Celta Vigo27106114041-136
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11Real Sociedad27104132328-534
12Getafe2789102322133
13GironaGirona2796123540-533
14Osasuna2671273237-533
15Espanyol2677122537-1228
16Valencia2769123045-1527
17Leganes2769122440-1627
18AlavesAlaves2768133040-1026
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2766153045-1524
20Real ValladolidValladolid2744191862-4416


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