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'You say all signings are controversial' – Valverde defends Boateng's arrival at Barcelona

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has defended the arrival of Kevin-Prince Boateng, telling the media they have been critical of "all" signings during his tenure as coach.

Boateng completed an unlikely loan switch from Sassuolo on Monday, with Barca also having the right to purchase him for €8million (£7m/$9.1m) during his stay.

The signing raised eyebrows throughout world football, with many surprised by Barca opting to sign the journeyman midfielder, whose three most recent clubs were Sassuolo, Eintracht Frankfurt and Las Palmas.

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But Valverde pointed out media coverage of Barca's signings during his time at the club has generally been negative, yet few have been deemed failures.