By Alex Molina /amolina@eurohoops.net
Barça and Baskonia face a summer of negotiations behind closed doors, as two moves that were considered a done deal until now, depend solely on the Vitoria club. Barça will strengthen both its sporting structure and its roster, but to finalize the arrivals of Xevi Pujol and Mike James, it must reach an agreement with the Vitoria club, which is determined to defend its interests in both cases.
Baskonia’s sporting director, Félix Fernández, made it clear this Thursday that the club will not facilitate the departure of Xevi Pujol, the executive chosen by Barça to take over as sporting director of the Barça basketball team, replacing Juan Carlos Navarro.
“We are counting on Xevi Pujol. He has unilaterally informed us that he wants to go to Barça. This situation is happening before the playoffs, and I find it strange coming from Barça. We will defend the club’s interests,” Fernández stated during a press breakfast held in Vitoria.
Pujol, who arrived at Baskonia last summer as technical secretary, has a contract for two more seasons. Although the Basque club initially considered his departure at the end of the season due to internal concerns within the team, Barça’s interest has completely changed the situation, as there is now an opportunity to profit. Following Barça’s interest, Baskonia is unwilling to let him go without financial compensation, which, according to various reports, would exceed €300,000.
But the standoff between the two clubs doesn’t end in the boardroom. The name of Mike James is also forcing Barça and Baskonia to sit down and negotiate. The American point guard, whose signing with the Catalan club has been on the table for weeks, is subject to the right of first refusal (tanteo rule) that the Vitoria club retains in the Liga Endesa after his previous stint in Vitoria.
Fernández confirmed that, for the moment, Baskonia has not received any official communication regarding the operation, although he left the door open to exercising its rights when the time comes… and even to matching the offer to bring him onto its roster.
“I haven’t received any official communication from Barcelona, his agents, or the ACB. When the time comes, we’ll analyze it because we’re talking about a great player,” the Baskonia executive stated.
His words suggest that Baskonia could demand financial compensation if it decides to waive its right of first refusal, turning the James deal into a new front in negotiations between the two clubs.
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