Barcelona Finances Worry Clubs Into Thinking They Can't Pay Installments

Barcelona's lack of funds are worrying rival teams into not wanting to take installment payments for transfers, as they don't think Barca will be able to pay up.

It not exactly a well guarded secret that Barcelona have been having financial problems in the last few years, with the Spanish giants desperately needing funds.

So bad are things at the Nou Camp, now called the Spotify Nou Camp, in an attempt to lessen the financial burden, that they can't register new players.

Franck Kessie and Andreas Christiansen are left in limbo right now, after their free moves from AC Milan and Chelsea, respectively.

That doesn't mean that Xavi and his club are considering their summer business done, with Leeds United forward Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski still on their radar.

However, one pundit has revealed that clubs are steering clear of accepting installment payments from them because they're worried they can't afford installments, or won't be around to stick to them.

"I strongly suspect he won’t be [on the flight to pre-season] because he wants to join Barcelona," Alex Crook said to talkSPORT about Raphinha's future at Elland Road.

"They’re still yet to match the offer Chelsea made several weeks ago now, Chelsea are waiting to agree personal terms with Raphinha, but Barcelona are getting closer to that £55m fee.

"It’s a very creative deal. I was told by a source close to it that they [Barcelona] don’t want to pay their first chunk of money until next year.

"How palatable that will be for Leeds I don’t know, because I was told there’s a genuine concern among selling clubs that if they do that kind of deal with Barcelona, Barcelona might not be around to pay these instalments.

"They really fear for the future of Barcelona in terms of administration, maybe even bankruptcy.

"So, it’s a really difficult one for Leeds when you’ve got a player who’s really only got their sights on one club, you’ve accepted a bid from another, what do you do."

The theory also backs up reports that Bayern Munich have asked the club for the cash for any Lewandowski transfer up front as well.

The Bundesliga club don't think their Champions League rivals will be around in 'two or three years,' which is a hell of a sad indictment into the problems one of football's most prestigious clubs are facing.

Barca's financial problems have already seen them lose Lionel Messi last summer, whilst all of their players have had to take page cuts.

That includes Frenkie de Jong, who is currently owed millions by the team, but they want him to waive a large chunk of it before a move to Manchester United.

If he doesn't leave, then Joan Laporta's side will have to pay the Dutchman nearly £100 million over the next four years, if they're still around.