FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.06.2008 13:30

Txiki: "Still three more to go"

David Saura

Txiki Begiristain, Barça’s director of football, says that the club is still looking to sign a centre forward, a wide player and an offensive midfielder.

At the presentation of Keita as a new Barça player, Txiki Begiristain said that the club is still seeking to complete Pep Guardiola’s team: "We’re looking at a number of options for a number 9, a wide player and an offensive midfielder."

Adebayor: an option up front

When asked whether Adebayor could be that centre forward, Txiki Begiristain admitted to interest in the Arsenal player, but said he was not the only option: “We’re looking at a number of possibilities, and obviously he’s one of them.”

Arshavin’s quality

Txiki Begiristain was also asked about Zenit Saint Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin, currently playing in Euro 2008 with Russia. "He’s a quality player of course and is having a good tournament,” commented the Barça director of football, but preferred not to go into the matter any further due to tonight’s semi-final clash between Russia and Spain in Vienna.

Coach Pep Guardiola said that "all the names that the media talk about are good players” and that he was sure he would have an “extraordinary” team. "In the end we’ll get what we want,” he said.

Barça and the Beijing Olympics

The possibility of Ronaldinho playing for Brazil at the Beijing Olympics also came up. Txiki Begiristain put forward the same argument as in the case of Messi: the club wants to have all its players available for its vital Champions League qualifying matches. "If Ronaldinho stays here we want him with the team on the 14th, just like Messi," he said, before adding that the club is doing everything necessary to achieve this goal.