Barcelona activate new lever in preparation of next transfer window
Barcelona activate new lever in preparation of next transfer window. FC Barcelona are reported to have activated one final “lever” to bring themselves in line with La Liga’s 1:1 spending rules ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
The La Liga leaders have been forced to operate under 1:4 rules in the last few years, the ability to spend €1 for every €4 received because of their well-known financial difficulties, but have long been publicly confident that the 1:1 freedom to spend every penny made, would be reached soon.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are on the cusp of two major agreements which will help them meet La Liga’s financial demands. Firstly, there is the new Nike kit manufacturing deal, which will be formalised on December 21 and is reported to be worth a total of €1.7bn (£1.41bn) over the next 14 years.
Not all of that income can be declared immediately, however, meaning Barcelona still need to raise more money before being permitted to return to 1:1, and the club are said to be in the process of selling special VIP seats inside the new Camp Nou for the next 20 years in a deal worth €200m (£165.4m).
By activating what is described as a “new lever”, Barcelona will immediately be permitted to return to La Liga’s 1:1 rule, with league officials already giving their approval to the sale of VIP seats.
Barcelona expect to be able to operate at 1:1 in the January transfer window, although they are not expected to utilize their impending financial power just yet. Indeed, the focus this winter will be on contract renewals and registering key players in their squad.
Dani Olmo and Pau Victor will both need registering again once Andreas Christensen returns from injury. The Dane has been unavailable for the first half of the season and was deregistered in the summer to make space for Olmo, but Barcelona are confident of being able to register all their players when January arrives.
Meanwhile, Gavi and Pedri have both agreed the framework of new contracts which Barcelona have not yet been able to finalize with La Liga. The pair will sign on until 2029 once Barcelona receive financial clearance from the league.
