Barcelona refuse to follow Real's transfer policy
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Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident that his club will not be forced into paying excessive fees to try and emulate Real Madrid’s expected transfer activity.
Madrid are close to tying up a world record deal for AC Milan’s Kaka, with the likes of Franck Ribery and Cristiano Ronaldo also being linked with the Bernabeu club.
However, Laporta insists that his club will not be splashing the cash in a similar way.
He commented: “We are not going to show off by paying so much money for one player.
“I just hope that we don’t have to end up paying these excessive prices for players.
“From Barcelona’s point of view, we will try to be sensible and stay true to our criterion when it comes to this issue.”
Valencia midfielder David Silva has admitted to being flattered by reported interest from Real Madrid.
The Spain winger claims the interest is little more than speculation at the moment, but has hinted that a summer switch to the Bernabeu would be an appealing prospect.
Real are believed to be keen to sign both Silva and striker David Villa from a cash-strapped Los Che.
"I don't know anything and I still haven't talked to my agents," he said.
"That a team like Real Madrid are interested is good for Valencia and for me.
"At the moment I am focused on the national team. I hope everything works out well.
"It's flattering that a team like Real Madrid are interested but at the moment I am at Valencia."
Barcelona's Spain international midfielder Andres Iniesta is facing a lengthy spell out of action due to a thigh injury in his right leg.
The 25-year-old played with the problem in the Champions League final victory over Manchester United, but is now set to miss his country's Confederations Cup campaign.
Iniesta had reported for duty with the national team, but further tests on his injury had provided bad news.
Spain doctor Oscar Celada confirmed: "He has an injury which has a very high chance of suffering a relapse.
"We have to look out for Andres' health and not expose him to a relapse.
"The recovery period is long, between six and eight weeks. He is crushed to see that the injury is worse than what he could have thought at the beginning."
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