Laporta addresses Mbappe rumours for the first time

"Great clubs are interested in great players, this is part of football," Joan Laporta has told Mundo Deportivo when asked about Barcelona's reported interest in Kylian Mbappe.

"I'm not going to enter this discussion. If we talk about a player and we have the intention of signing him, we will only increase his price. I don't want to make any comments since they would harm the club's interests. 

"The technical staff and our sports management are working hard to improve the squad, which is getting better and better. We are more and more satisfied. 

"I want it to be clearly understood that we prioritise the team above all else. We want to be strong in every department. And we are not looking for players who would be above the club. We want to build a team that would suit the Barca style," Laporta concluded.

Laporta also emphasised that the club would only conduct those operations that would not harm Barcelona's finances. Paying the wages of players like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe might be difficult in this respect.

Mbappe is expected to sign for Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer. As for Haaland, it's still an open race, but Real Madrid and Manchester City are said to be the favourites for his signature.

Source: Mundo Deportivo