Barcelona sports chief Txiki Begiristain admits Real Madrid's buying spree wrecked their hopes of signing Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.
"If Mascherano and Cesc did not come, it was because of financial difficulties. It was impossible to match the money demanded after Real Madrid went calling for them," said Begiristain.
He added: "We can revisit these issues later."