Barcelona missed out on deadline day signing by 18 seconds due to computer error
La Liga leaders Barca were hoping to add a player to their title push but now have to wait to see if FIFA will let them sign him.
Barcelona's transfer problems continued on Tuesday night, but instead of their usual financial problems, the Spanish giants were having tech issues instead.
It's never a dull day when it comes to the strange goings at the Nou Camp, which is usually decided by their insane finances, or lack thereof.
On deadline day, they had issues with trying to bring in a midfielder because they couldn't afford to put an obligation to buy a player they wanted to loan.
Whilst Gavi has had to wait quite some time to finally have his contract extension be registered by the club, which meant his release clause was still at €50 million.
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The midfielder did eventually have his contract allowed, due to the courts, but the Catalan side have found a whole new way to have a transfer messed up.
Late in the day on Tuesday, they attempted to wrap up a move for right back Julian Araujo from LA Galaxy, and they looked to have agreed the deal with the MLS side.
However, things are up in the air, and they must wait to see if FIFA will allow them to complete the move, after they missed the deadline mere seconds, due to an error with a computer.
"We didn't arrive on time due to a computer error — the delay was 18 seconds," club director Mateu Alemany said on Wednesday.
"We'll have to wait and see what FIFA decide."
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, the details of the deals made it a typically complicated one anyway, probably due to the club's famed financial problems.
They report that Xavi's side are due to pay €2 million upfront for 50% of the rights for the 21-year-old and would then pay another €2 million for another 40% in the summer, with Galaxy keeping the final 10.
However, if things don't work out for him then Barcelona can just send him back at the end of the summer, effectively making it a loan move.
The club are in need of more options at right back, after Hector Bellerin moved on loan to Sporting to replace Tottenham Hotspur bound Pedro Porro.
Xavi's side sit eight points above rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and face Manchester United in the next round of the Europa League.
Topics: Barcelona, Transfers, La Liga, LA Galaxy, MLS, Spain
Ryan Sidle