Laporta: Villa signing was right

(GSM) – Outgoing Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that David Villa’s sensational form for Spain in the World Cup has justified the club’s decision to sign the player before the mega-event in South Africa.

Catalan giants paid €40 million for Villa in May with the player achieving star status for Spain after scoring four goals so far, including the winner as Vicente del Bosque’s side knocked out Portugal to reach the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

“Now everybody agrees we were right when we said that it was better to sign before the World Cup. What would it cost today to sign Villa? Let’s say, at least, 20 million more,” he told Sport.

However, Laporta was not able to tie up the signing of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, but is hoping the Catalan midfielder returns.

“I would keep Toure, bring in Cesc and also another striker because it looks like Henry is leaving. That would be enough,” he said.

And Laporta, who is set to hand over the reins to new president Sandro Rosell, believes he has left the club in good hands.

“What’s left is a club with an enormous potential to keep on winning,” he said.

“As well as the signings, our homegrown players, (Lionel) Messi, (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi, (Carles) Puyol, (Gerard) Pique and Victor Valdes are up there with the best in the world.”

Laporta also believes coach Pep Guardiola is the right man to lead Barca to further glory in the coming years.

“He has had two excellent years, but I still think his record as coach will have a much longer journey because he has impressive abilities,” he said.

“He lives the club, he suffers, he enjoys it and by God, he knows a lot!

“Guardiola is the closest thing to perfection that I have ever come across in the world of football and he has an enormous potential to keep on winning.”