Barcelona president Joan Laporta has warned clubs hoping to take advantage of the club’s difficult financial situation that there is no chance of the Catalan giants selling key youngsters Pedri, Ansu Fati, or Frenkie de Jong.

Laporta spoke at a press conference on Monday and revealed the extent of Barcelona’s enormous debt which he described as “very worrying,” as reported by BBC Sport.

“Our salaries represent 103% of the club’s total income, that’s 20-25% more than our competitors,” he said. “The first thing we had to do when we arrived was to ask for a loan of 80m euros because, otherwise, we could not pay the salaries. The previous regime was full of lies. Barcelona has a negative net worth of 451m euros – it is a terrible inheritance. What has been happening is very worrying.”

However, Laporta also sought to reassure supporters that the club will not allow any key players to follow Lionel Messi out of the exit door, even if attractive offers arrive, as reported by The Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan.

Laporta explained, “We are not thinking of selling names like Pedri, Ansu Fati or De Jong, not even for huge sums. Other players we are looking to move out. But the market is what it is.”

There’s no doubt it’s been a tumultuous summer at Barcelona. Messi’s departure sent shockwaves through the football world, while the club’s financial mess has meant big-name signings look unlikely for some time.