'Barcelona is one of the most important institutions in the world': Real Madrid president Florentino Perez declares Barca's revival as GOOD for football as cash-stricken Catalans battle to register summer signings ahead of new season

• e-mail

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has declared Barcelona's supposed revival as 'good' for world football. 

Barcelona have been at the centre of the football circus this summer with controversy swirling around the Catalan club and their financial troubles.

Speaking to Movistar, Perez said: 'There are seasons that we all do better or worse but Barca is one of the most important institutions in the world along with Madrid.

Florentino Perez (L) has said Barcelona's revival is good for world football amid controversy surrounding the club and its finances

'It (Barcelona) has to return to being what it is and that is good for everyone, for world soccer.'

The Catalan club has sought to plot a return back to the elite of European football this summer through a number of signings, including Raphinha from Leeds and Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. 

Controversy has been abound, however, with the club's finances known to be less than secure. The club has so far been unable to register any of their new players and are said to be about to pull the 'fourth economic lever' in order to do so. 

Barcelona are over a billion pounds in debt but have moved to spend more money than any other side in Europe this summer. La Liga have blocked the registration of their new signings on the grounds of the club not having saved enough money against their outgoings.  

The Real Madrid president called Barcelona one of the great institutions of the world game

The club's activity in the transfer market has led to criticism from various figures within world football, including Gary Neville who called on FIFPro, the union that represents professional footballers, to intervene over Barcelona's 'bullying' of Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong.

'De Jong should consider legal action v Barcelona and all players should be behind him!' Neville tweeted. 

'A club spending fortunes on new players whilst not paying the ones they have under contract their full money is immoral and a breach. FIFPRO should be all over bullying like this and stop it.'

New Barcelona boys Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha are still not registered with La Liga

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann expressed his displeasure at Barcelona's spending upon the announcement of Lewandowski's transfer to the Spanish giants. 

He told a press conference earlier this summer that he was baffled by the club's outlay and suggested that they were only allowed to spend so frivolously because they were Barcelona.   

'[Barcelona] is the only club in the world that have no money, but then buy all the players they want.

'I don't know how they do it. It's a bit strange, a bit crazy. They got a lot of new players, not only Robert.'