‘They distort reality’: Barcelona chief Joan Laporta SLAMS Bayern Munich and suggests they ‘look at their bank account’ for the £42.5m he paid them for Robert Lewandowski – after Julian Nagelsmann blasted his ‘crazy’ transfer strategy

Barcelona chief Joan Laporta has hit back at Bayern Munich after their head coach Julian Nagelsmann took a swipe at their ‘crazy’ spending – telling the Bundesliga side to ‘look at their own bank account’. 

The two clubs have been engaged in a war of words over Robert Lewandowski after Barcelona finally snapped him up for £42.5million this summer after eight seasons with Bayern and netting 344 goals – with the Polish star forcing his exit after telling the club his ‘story was over’.

Fans have been shocked that Barca have managed to bring in Lewandowski – as well as four other signings – despite facing cripppling financial difficulties. The club have had to sell their merchandising arm and part of their TV rights to fund deals for Raphinha, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.

Barcelona chief Joan Laporta has hit back at Bayern Munich and boss Julian Nagelsmann after he questioned the club’s ‘crazy’ transfer strategy  

In quotes carried by the Mirror, Barcelona President Joan Laporta said: ‘I would tell [Bayern] to look at their checking account, that important money has come in because of Lewandowski.

‘What they do is distort reality. They have not calibrated the strength of Barça. To those who are surprised, I say that we are very awake.

‘We are back on the market. The weight, strength and value of an entity with more than 122 years of history is a lot.’

Robert Lewandowski joined Barcelona from Bayern for £42.5million earlier this summer

His comments came after Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann voiced his concerns about the Catalan club’s transfer strategy. He said: ‘[Barca] is the only club in the world that have no money, but then buy all the players they want.

‘I don’t know how they do it. It’s a bit strange, a bit crazy. They got a lot of new players, not only Robert.’

A falling out between Nagelsmann and Lewandowski is thought to be one reason behind the striker’s transfer. 

Earlier this summer the player declared his ‘story was over’ at Bayern as he attempted to force through a transfer.

‘My era at Bayern is over,’ Lewandowski told reporters while on international duty with Poland.

‘I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore.

Lewandowski clashed with Nagelsmann before deciding to push through his exit from Bayern

‘Bayern’s a serious club and I believe they won’t keep me, I don’t want to play there anymore. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don’t stop me.’ 

Lewandowski is also believed to have rowed with Nagelsmann over training ground instructions. The German coach is said to have advised him what position to take up for crosses, to which the Pole reportedly replied: ‘I’ve scored 41 goals in a season… not you!’ 

Despite facing debts of £1bn, Barca do appear to be on track to register their expensive new signings after selling a portion of their TV rights, although they may still have to sell Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay. 

However, Laporta stressed on Friday that the club were happy to keep De Jong – who has ben linked with Manchester United – so long as he takes a pay cut. 

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Joan Laporta SLAMS Bayern Munich after Julian Nagelsmann called Barca’s transfer strategy ‘crazy’

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