Keita blames tax issue for Barca exit

10 July 2012 01:31

Seydou Keita has revealed he failed to reach an agreement with Barcelona over a new contract because of a tax issue.

The 32-year-old completed a transfer to Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Aerbin last week, bringing an end to his four-and-a-half year spell with Barcelona.

But the Mali international has since claimed he was hopeful of remaining at Camp Nou.

"Right until the end, Barcelona and I tried to reach an agreement, but we didn't succeed. That's how it is. It was a tax problem," Keita was quoted as saying by L'Equipe.

"I had a great time at Barca. I've loved the simplicity and humility of the club, the players. I'll never forget that."

Keita put pen to paper on a lucrative deal to play in China, but the midfielder has insisted money was not the sole motivation behind his move to Dalian.

"Yes, I will earn money in China, and this could be my last contract, but that's not the only thing. I'm still ambitious," he said.