Barcelona are no longer allowed to use 'financial levers' to help problems

Barcelona's financial problems could be quickly returning, as they aren't allowed to copy their summer tactics that saw them sign Robert Lewandowski.

Many football fans were left confused in the summer by the extreme spending in the transfer window by Barcelona, a team who have had financial issues in recent years.

The club's problems were blamed on the reason they lost Lionel Messi to PSG and things hadn't really improved since the Argentine left.

However, in the summer they were able to spend a reported €153 million and bring in Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and others.

They were expected to need to sell some players but only Philippe Coutinho and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departed for any money, and even Ousmane Dembele was re-signed having seen his contract expire before signing a new deal.

Frenkie de Jong refused to move to Manchester United, even though the midfielder was made available by Xavi, and rumours persist he could still leave.

Instead of selling anyone, Barcelona pulled four 'financial levers,' that allowed them to recoup money from other parts of the business and be able to afford registering their new players.

However, according to Catalunya Radio, the club aren't allowed to use any more of those levers in order to help with their continued problems.

The Spanish giants are said to be €200 million over their wage budget for the season, and that will likely mean having to sell players.

Lewandowski reportedly earns €400,000-a-week. Image: Alamy

Selling off things like parts of their future tv rights money allowed the club to be in a position to challenge this season, but it hasn't worked out completely.

Despite their signings, Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League early, for the second year in-a-row, being eliminated from the group stages.

Instead they've again dropped into the Europa League, and will actually face Manchester United for a place in the last 16 of the competition.

That's a huge blow, not only to their trophy aspirations but also to their finances, especially now they can't pull any more levers.

It all means that Xavi is likely to have to lose at least one of their players, either in the summer or potentially even during this month's transfer window.

Xavi has much to ponder. Image: Alamy

The club's problems were somewhat helped by Gerard Pique deciding to hang up his boots at the end of last year, with the defender owed a lot of money due to recent years of accepting to suspend some of his wage.

Sergi Roberto has also recently revealed that accepting a wage cut at the Nou Camp has led to him being paid similar to youth players.

Despite that, they continue to be linked with huge name signings, including a move for goalkeeper David de Gea, whose contract at Old Trafford is due to expire in the summer.

Though they wouldn't have to pay a transfer fee for the Spanish keeper, it's likely his wage demands would be high, as he's already on a reported £375,000-a-week.