Barcelona's interim president Carlos Tusquets feels the club should have cashed in on Lionel Messi during the summer transfer window.
Messi was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City and sent a recorded delivery (Burofax) letter stating his intention to leave. He later said the decision was due to being disillusioned with the direction the now former board had taken the club.
Ex-Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned in October rather than face a vote of no confidence, with Tusquets taking temporary charge until January's elections.
"Economically speaking, I would've sold Messi in the summer window," Tusquets told RAC1 radio station.
"Both in terms of what you save on the wage bill as well as the money you make, it would've been desirable. But this is something the coaching staff have to consent to and that's not my place.
"La Liga are setting salary limits at the moment and this would've helped on that front."
Messi's current contract expires in June, when he is expected to leave for free and on Wednesday former Barca team mate Neymar spoke of his desire to link up with the Argentine again.
"What I want most of all is to play with Messi again, to be able to enjoy him once again on the pitch," he said after his club PSG's 3-1 Champions League win against Manchester United.
"I want to play with him next year, for sure. We have to do it next season."
Tusquets conceded that scenario was unlikely to transpire at the Nou Camp, where the purse strings have been tightened following the COVID-19 crisis.
"If he (Neymar) became available on a free transfer then maybe we could think about signing him," he said.
"Without making sales, there's no money for new signings unless the new president has incredibly deep pockets."
Latest Stories
-
Government pushes for use of more local materials in housing, other infrastructure projects
25 mins -
Dr Bawumia extends Easter greetings to Christians
36 mins -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘Ghanaians should expect victory against Stade Malien’ – Dreams FC forward Ishmael Dede
1 hour -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘We want to go there and win’ – Karim Zito on Stade Malian clash
2 hours -
Togbe Adzie Lãkle Howusu XII endorses youth leadership as New Force Movement gains momentum
2 hours -
Public Utility Workers Union appeals to PURC to address power crisis
2 hours -
Anbariya loses another appeal in Kumasi as Appeal Court ratifies High Court ruling against the Islamic Institute
3 hours -
Highway construction health hazard: Ofankor-Pokuase-Nsawam residents appeal for dust relief
3 hours -
SuperJazzClub releases its first single of the year ‘Off’
3 hours -
Methodist Church to lobby Akufo-Addo for expedited assent to anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
3 hours -
Spare health facilities from unplanned ‘dumsor’ – Minority to government
3 hours -
Eritrea Observed World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2024
3 hours -
Just give us ‘dumsor’ timetable to plan our operations – GMA tells ECG
4 hours -
Parliament petitions Chief Justice for an expedited hearing of cases against anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
4 hours -
The Attorney General vs NDC impasse – why they ‘fight’
4 hours