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Barcelona blast 'immoral' Arsenal after luring away highly-rated teenager Jon Miquel Toral Harper
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:10 PM on 24th February 2011
Arsenal have been accused of 'immoral' behaviour after poaching Barcelona whizkid Jon Miquel Toral Harper.
The Gunners have completed a £300,000 deal to bring the 16-year old midfielder from the Spanish giants' academy.
Toral, who has an English mother, follows in the footsteps of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who was also lured from Barca at a young age.
Anger: Barcelona president Sandro Rosell with manager Pep Guardiola
Previous deal: Cesc Fabregas
But the north London club have been criticised by Barcelona president Sandro Rosell after completing their latest move.
He said: 'It's very important to keep this group of young lads together with a grounding in our way of playing football.
'We don't like it when other clubs come with offers of money just before the player's 16th birthday. It's legal but a little immoral.'
Rosell was also asked whether Barca will make another effort to bring Fabregas back to the club during the summer.
The 23-year-old Spain international is seen as an eventual replacement for playmaker Xavi, who turned 31 in January.
Rosell added: 'Barca must have the best possible team and we have to fulfil the requests from the technical staff without forgetting the economic situation and that Barca has to pay salaries and costs.
'If Cesc comes, because the technical staff want him and he wants to, the club members would accept it.'
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:10 PM on 24th February 2011
Arsenal have been accused of 'immoral' behaviour after poaching Barcelona whizkid Jon Miquel Toral Harper.
The Gunners have completed a £300,000 deal to bring the 16-year old midfielder from the Spanish giants' academy.
Toral, who has an English mother, follows in the footsteps of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who was also lured from Barca at a young age.
Anger: Barcelona president Sandro Rosell with manager Pep Guardiola Previous deal: Cesc FabregasBut the north London club have been criticised by Barcelona president Sandro Rosell after completing their latest move.
He said: 'It's very important to keep this group of young lads together with a grounding in our way of playing football.
'We don't like it when other clubs come with offers of money just before the player's 16th birthday. It's legal but a little immoral.'
Rosell was also asked whether Barca will make another effort to bring Fabregas back to the club during the summer.
The 23-year-old Spain international is seen as an eventual replacement for playmaker Xavi, who turned 31 in January.
Rosell added: 'Barca must have the best possible team and we have to fulfil the requests from the technical staff without forgetting the economic situation and that Barca has to pay salaries and costs.
'If Cesc comes, because the technical staff want him and he wants to, the club members would accept it.'
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