Soccer-Koeman labels transfer spending absurd but would not begrudge Real signing Mbappe

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v FC Barcelona - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - August 21, 2021 FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman during the match REUTERS/Vincent West

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said the amount of money being spent in this transfer window was "absurd" given the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, adding that he had accepted his side could no longer compete with the top sides for players.

Little more than a year after the pandemic slashed the budgets of sides such as Barca, transfer spending among several of Europe's richest clubs has recovered at a remarkable rate.