Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Barcelona 'have money to spend' on Man City's Vincent Kompany or Chelsea's David Luiz
BARCELONA are prepared to splash the cash as they look to bolster their defence with Manchester City's Vincent Kompany and Chelsea centre-back David Luiz on their radar.
Barca's economic vice-president Javier Faus, speaking ahead of the Catalan club's visit to Israel and Palestine, has made it clear that there is money available to new coach Gerardo Martino.
Faus said: "Money won't be a problem in terms of making a signing. We're not going to go crazy, but our priority in that respect is sporting.
"The financial department will make available the money necessary to pay for a transfer once an agreement has been reached with a club."
His comments come after Mundo Deportivo claimed that the Spanish giants will attempt to prize Kompany away from Manchester should their pursuit of Luiz collapse.
Luiz is said to be keen to push the transfer through as he feels he is not valued by new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The Brazil star is even prepared to take a pay-cut, as Javier Mascherano and Cesc Fabregas both did, in order to join Barcelona.
However if Chelsea refuse to sell Luiz, who is said to be a favourite of Blues owner Roman Abramovich, Barca will turn their attention to Kompany.
City will be desperate to hold on to their Belgian captain who was instrumental in leading the team to the Premier League title in 2012.
Kompany signed a new six-year contract in 2012 so it will take a significant offer to prize him away from the Etihad.