BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has revealed players have rejected Chelsea in favour of the Nou Camp due to their project and boss Xavi.
The Blaugrana have pipped the Blues to a number of their main targets this summer – much to new owner Todd Boehly’s frustration.
Joan Laporta believes players have rejected Chelsea for Barcelona due to their project
Chelsea had agreed a deal with Leeds for winger Raphinha, only for the Brazilian to snub a switch to Stamford Bridge for the Catalan club.
And it was the same case with centre-back Jules Kounde, who held out for a move to Barca instead of Chelsea.
The West London outfit were even interested in Robert Lewandowski, but the Bayern Munch legend only had eyes for the Spanish side.
French forward Ousmane Dembele also looked set to link up with Chelsea on a free transfer, only to extend his stay at Barcelona.
And things could be even worse for Chelsea with Barcelona looking to prise Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso away from England.
Laporta has now declared why Barca are managing to fend off competition from Chelsea to land their transfer targets.
He told CBS Sports: “We have a good relationship and we respect our opponents. Chelsea’s [minority] owner Todd Boehly is an extraordinary person.
“We have had this necessity to be active in the transfer market in order to improve our squad.
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“And it just so happens that some of the players they wanted, we did also.
“Those players wanted to come to Barcelona because they believe in our project, our history, our style of playing and our coach. Xavi is important.”
Laporta even commented on his relationship with Boehly, who he met earlier this month amid rumours he is looking to hijack Manchester United’s move for Frenkie de Jong.
Though he rejected speculation of De Jong joining the Blues.
Asked whether Chelsea were offered the chance to sign De Jong, Laporta said: “No, no, no. We had a very nice dinner in Barcelona and we talked in general about football.
“He is a very successful businessman. He is involved in sport with the Lakers and Dodgers and now with Chelsea.
“He looks like a man who knows what he wants to do and it was a very nice dinner.”
Barca president Laporta has labelled new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly as an “extraordinary person”
