Ronald Koeman refuses to agree to a lower transfer fee for his terminated contract with Barcelona, Gerard Romero reports. The Spanish journalist writes that there is a difference of opinion between Koeman and the Spanish top club of almost six million euros. A lawsuit over the severance pay of the dismissed trainer is imminent.
Koeman believes he is entitled to an amount of twelve million euros plus a small one and a half million euros in bonuses. Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, does not agree and has proposed a compensation of 7.5 million euros. Moreover, that amount would be transferred to Koeman in two installments, while the Dutchman demands the entire compensation in one go.
It is not the first time that Barcelona has come into conflict with a sacked coach. Quique Setién, Koeman’s predecessor, announced legal action against Barcelona a year ago. “Barça have not compensated me or offered me anything,” Sétien said in December last year. “They didn’t even call me to tell me my contract was terminated.” The Spaniard, who was sent away two years before the end of his employment, is demanding a severance payment of four million euros. That case is still pending.
In the meantime, Barcelona is working on the arrival of Xavi, who should become Koeman’s successor. A delegation from Barcelona, made up of Vice President Rafa Yuste and General Manager Mateu Alemany, is currently in Qatar to negotiate the transfer of the trainer with Al-Sadd. The Qatari top club announced in an official press release on Wednesday evening that they do not intend to let Xavi go to Barcelona. The former midfielder himself said on Thursday morning that he was ‘very eager to go home’. “But first the clubs have to come to an agreement,” said Xavi.
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