Barcelona chasing full back Alba
Barcelona have set aside an average of €40 million ($49.92 million) per year to spend on players and are in talks with Valencia to buy Spain fullback Jordi Alba, president Sandro Rosell said on Tuesday.
"I am not happy these negotiations (for Alba) have leaked out but they have," Rosell told a news conference as part of his annual review of the season.
Alba, who has turned in excellent performances at left back for semifinalists Spain at Euro 2012, started out in Barca's youth ranks and could return in place of France international Eric Abidal who is recovering from a liver transplant.
Spanish media have reported Valencia want €15 million for the player, who turned 23 in March.
Rosell added preliminary financial results for the 2011-12 season suggested Barca would make a profit of €40 million , almost twice as much as the projected €21 million.
The cash will be used to pay debts which stand at a net €340 million.
Plans to refurbish the club's giant Camp Nou arena have been put on hold as debt reduction takes priority, Rosell said.
