Former Barcelona chief reveals which player sale was ‘the most painful’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff has this week provided an insight into which of the sales he was forced to sanction whilst at the club hurt the most on a personal level.

Cruyff for his part took his place on the board at the Camp Nou between 2021 and 2023.

During this time, the Dutchman played an important role in player transfers, having had a leading say on incomings and outgoings alike.

Speaking during an interview with Diario Sport this week, Cruyff was therefore drawn on one sale in particular: that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Frontman Aubameyang enjoyed a short-lived stint in Catalunya’s capital back in 2022.

Across his six months as a Blaugrana player, the Gabonese struck up a strong connection with the club’s supporters, owing to his impressive goalscoring exploits and positive attitude.

In turn, it came as a blow when, just half a season on from his arrival, Aubameyang was sold to Chelsea for financial reasons.

And Jordi Cruyff has admitted that he was personally affected by the transfer, explaining to Sport:

”It was the most painful goodbye. Sure, you bring in Lewandowski, and they could have played together, but we needed Fair Play. There were players who could leave and didn’t want to and something came to him that fulfilled him. He connected very well with the fans, the squad, the club. A special boy.”

Conor Laird – GSFN