Van Persie & Bale: Too pricey for Barca

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Barca not keen on Prem duo

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the Spanish giants will not break the bank to land Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie.

The La Liga champions have expressed admiration for Tottenham’s Bale and Arsenal’s Van Persie, who have both been in terrific form this season.

Bartomeu has admitted the Premier League duo would be welcome at the Nou Camp, but insists he has no plans to make any transfer offers and says he refuses to ‘enter the madness market’ this summer in pursuit of expensive players to boost Barca’s ranks.

Reports suggest the European giants are looking to add world-class talent to their squad when the window re-opens, but Bartomeu has rejected these claims, saying they will not be spending big in the summer.

“Those players are very good, but we always need common sense in any negotiations,” Bartomeu told Sky Sports.

“We will not enter the madness market because it is impossible for Barcelona to pay 40 or 50million Euros (£33-42m) for any player. This is a decision of the club.

“We can’t fight against every club. But we have an advantage in that players want to come and play for Barcelona.”