Barcelona could lose two of their summer signings on free transfers if they're not registered before Saturday

Barcelona could reportedly lose two of their summer signings on free transfers if they are not registered before this weekend.

ESPN claim Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie could both leave the Catalan club for free if they are not registered before the club's La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Christensen and Kessie both joined Barcelona on free transfers earlier this summer.

Christensen signed for the La Liga club after coming to the end of his contract at Chelsea, while Kessie arrived after running down his previous deal at AC Milan.

But with three days to go until the start of the new La Liga season, neither player has been registered by Barcelona as the club continues to struggle to balance the books.

Fellow summer arrivals Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde are also yet to be registered, as are the contract renewals signed by Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele.

Andreas Christensen joined Barcelona on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea (Image: Alamy)

ESPN claim that a clause exists in both Christensen and Kessie's contracts that would allow them to leave for free if they are not registered before this weekend's game.

Sources have told ESPN that there is "no indication" it will come to that and club president Joan Laporta insists Barcelona will be able to register all of their new signings in time.

Barcelona have spent more than €150m (£127m) this summer and have raised over €600m (£506m) by selling 25 per cent of their domestic television rights for 25 years and a 24.5 per cent stake in Barca Studios.

Franck Kessie also joined the club on a free transfer this summer (Image: Alamy)

But that is not enough for the club to register all of their new signings and contract renewals, ESPN claim.

The club is now expected to use its fourth 'economic lever', which involves selling up to 49 per cent of Barca Studios.

That sale, combined with veteran defender Gerard Pique agreeing to a salary reduction, should allow Barcelona to register their new arrivals, according to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero.

Barcelona will hope to have the matter resolved before they host Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp this weekend.

Topics: Barcelona, Football, La Liga, Transfers, Andreas Christensen

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan