Cash-Strapped Barcelona Have Been Offered The Biggest Sponsorship Package In Football History
Barcelona have been offered the largest sponsorship package in football history in a move that would improve their dire financial situation.
The Blaugrana's current shirt sponsors are Rakuten, the electronic commerce company, while domestic appliance brand Beko's name is emblazoned on the training attire.
Both deals expire in six months, however, and SPORT say the club have money-spinning offers to get into the cryptocurrency space.
VeganNation and Polkadot are the two companies interested and if Barca move forward with the proposals they could earn €80 million (£67 million) per year.
President Joan Laporta and CEO Ferran Reverter, as well as marketing and revenue chief Juli Guiu, have reportedly held talks with VeganNation's CEO Isaac Thomas.
The arrangement would see their brand, which brought out their own cryptocurrency called GreenCoin, become a primary sponsor for the Catalan outfit and potentially featured on the front of the kits, in addition to sleeves and training gear.
They have also proposed a joint project with tech company Tencent, while blockchain Polkadot in are in "advanced talks" and have reportedly offered more than Rakuten to be front and centre on the shirts.
What's more, music streaming giant Spotify are also in the frame and keen to be the shirt sponsor.
Barca went without an official shirt sponsor for a long time before striking a partnership with the charity 'UNICEF' in 2006.
They then signed an agreement with Qatar Airways and later Rakuten.
The La Liga side's financial troubles have been well documented and despite the departure of prize asset Lionel Messi, they still have great commercial value.
Although they recently posted debts of £1.16 billion, the club have plans to completely revamp the Nou Camp and its surrounding areas in an investment that could end up costing €1.5 billion.
Josh Lawless