Barca's previous management had contracted investment bank Goldman Sachs GS.N to seek potential investors for the club's commercial arm but none of the proposals were satisfactory, Laporta said. With their finances in dire straits after years of wage inflation and expensive transfers, the club could not afford to renew its contract with star striker Lionel Messi, leading to his shock departure to Paris St Germain last week. Laporta had previously slammed the deal as "mortgaging the club's television rights for the next 50 years", even though the cash injection could have allowed Messi to stay at the Camp Nou.