Jordi Farre and other Barcelona presidential candidates have slammed the transfer of Gerard Deulofeu to Everton, which was completed this week.
The Toffees captured Deulofeu for around €6 million euros, with the Spaniard signing a three-year deal.
Farre has criticised the move, claiming it has “destroyed La Masia.”
Spanish newspaper Marca quoted him to saying that the departure of the home-grown winger served as injustice to their prestigious and highly rated academy and youth system.
Marca also quoted similar feelings from fellow candidate Toni Frixa. He said: “Deulofeu’s departure is an example and consequence of the fact that the current La Masia model isn’t the best.
“We have to identify what’s happened and solve it so that it doesn’t happen again.”
Joan Laporta, bidding for a second stint as Barca president, believes the transfer is only beneficial to the interim board of directors, including outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
“There is a lack of ethics,” he said. “For sure, for a month, the interim board could have waited until the new president arrived.
“It is an income which will be attributed to the outgoing directors. I do not know what reasons the interim board would have. In this way they could sell any player, which should not be done.”
One candidate who seemed to sympathise with the transfer was Agusti Benedito. He said: “I’m not in a position to say whether it’s a mistake to let him leave or not, because there are probably factors we’re not aware of.”
However, Benedito did remark that Deulofeu had the quality to stay on at Barcelona.
Everton players and fans aren’t complaining though- as a hero amongst the terraces returns home to Goodison Park.
Club captain Phil Jagielka said: “Gerard is a fantastic player and a real menace.”
“ He is something special and the fans will love watching him again.”
Manager Roberto Martinez added: “We are getting an even more mature player now than he was a couple of seasons ago and a player who considers Everton as home.
“This is why we are incredibly excited to have him back here on a permanent basis and to encourage him to grow, develop and mature his enormous talent.”
