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Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has admitted he made a major mistake in signing Marc Overmars from Arsenal.

Overmars joined Barcelona in a £26.37m deal all the way back in July 2000, having established himself as a star for the Gunners in the three years since a move from Ajax in 1997.

The Dutchman managed 36 goals and 31 assists for Arsenal in 135 appearances for the club, playing a starring role as they won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield while he was there.

It was no surprise when Barcelona came calling in the summer of 2000 then, signing him and former teammate Emmanuel Petit in a deal worth a combined £32m.

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His time at the Camp Nou would be nowhere near as successful as his time with Arsenal, though, with him managing just 19 goals and assists in 141 games for the club in an injury-laden four years in Spain.

Indeed, his move was such a disaster for Overmars it led to him taking a career break between 2004 and 2008, and Gaspart admits now he should never have signed him in the first place.

“In August, I was without Figo, and I asked the coaches what player in the world could be similar,” he told Onda Cero, relayed by Marca.

“They tell me that it’s difficult, but that there is a similar player in England (Overmars) who is not at Figo’s level but almost there. And I jump in like a madman. First mistake.

“Second mistake: I don’t doubt that the coaches were right, but everyone knew that Barça were rich at the time, and the worst thing you can do is buy and let others know you’re rich.

“It’s not that I’m rushing, I listen to the coaches, I sign Overmars, who gets injured, and although he’s a great player, he doesn’t succeed at Barça.

“The team that has him (Arsenal) gave me Petit as Overmars’ partner; from here, I understand that the coaches understand that this is good.”