Barcelona president to be quizzed on Neymar, Griezmann and club changes before Frenkie de Jong presentation
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has called a press conference on Friday evening ahead of Frenkie de Jong’s presentation to discuss current events at the Catalan club.
Vice-president Jordi Mestre stepped down this week and according to reports in the local press, he is not going to be replaced, with Bartomeu set to assume his responsibilities.
Mestre was one of the most vocal critics of Neymar after the Brazilian’s controversial exit in 2017 and his resignation could pave the way for the 27-year-old forward to return to Camp Nou from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The future of general manager Pep Segura is also under scrutiny, amid reports he had handed in his resignation.
Those appear to be wide of the mark, but the 58-year-old has lost his biggest supporter at boardroom level in Mestre and he has been questioned for mistakes made in the planning of the squad over the past couple of seasons.
Who should stay at Barcelona and who should go this summer?
Segura was due to meet with Bartomeu on Thursday evening and the president’s press conference on Friday suggests there will be changes to the hierarchy at the club.
Bartomeu decided to call the briefing for 4pm BST, with De Jong to be presented at Camp Nou at 6pm, in order to answer questions relating to changes at the club prior to the midfielder’s unveiling.
The Barca president is also certain to face questions about the possible return of Neymar this summer and others concerning the status of the deal to sign Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.
