It's the question on many people's lips right now: what is happening at FC Barcelona?
The Spanish giants are in a precarious situation when it comes to their finances.
As well as being €1.3 billion in debt, according to reports, a salary limit of €-144 million has been set by La Liga. And yet, they continue to spend large chunks of cash in the transfer market.
Franck Kessie on the attack ➡️ pic.twitter.com/H7LL8VwTTO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 13, 2022
After bringing in Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers, the Catalan side have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Raphinha. He is set to join the Catalan side for an initial €65 million plus add ons.
But there's a big problem. Kessie and Christensen still can't be registered because Barcelona do not meet the league's financial fair play criteria.
Basically, that salary limit set by La Liga prevents them from joining up with the squad. And the imminent arrival of Raphinha, who is reportedly set to earn £100,000-per-week at the Camp Nou, will no doubt cause further issues.
Raphinha knows pic.twitter.com/SFna87xdkC
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 13, 2022
In addition to problems surrounding transfers, Barca owe defender Gerard Pique a sum of £42.5 million after failing to pay his salary year after year, according to journalist Gerard Romero.
The centre-back is said to have taken a 'substantial' reduction in salary in order for the club to register Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj for the 2021/22 La Liga campaign.
So it begs the question; how are they managing to afford these kind of deals when they struggle to pay their wages?
In a fascinating Twitter thread on Twitter, football writer Kristian Sturt has detailed Barca's financial troubles and the concerning consequences that may follow.
He feels the footballing world isn't talking about the seriousness of their current situation enough, and even suggests we may be "years away" from a world without FC Barcelona.
Here is the thread in full:
IT'S MY OPINION that FC Barcelona are in real trouble financially, and I feel as though the footballing world isn't talking about the seriousness of their current situation enough.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
We may be years away from a world without FC Barcelona.
Here's why, a thread:
You can say I'm anti-Barcelona if you want, but I'd like to think I'm just pro-information, Barcelona are a few moves away from real trouble
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
It's 100% my opinion, but I feel as though Bartomeu is pushing the limits because he feels as though the footballing world needs the club
La Liga's rules are throttling Barca on the European stage where they fear they can no longer contend financially. They need to rely on the clubs/league's history as the draw.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
Here is some alarming info the footballing world should know about the situation at Barcelona:
In the 21/22 season Barcelona's salary limit was €98m. To overcome this players inc; Pique, Busquets and Alba took salary cuts. It's now MINUS 144m compared to Madrid's 739m.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
That means Barca will only be able to spend 25 percent of any savings they can make. pic.twitter.com/9EidkjtaEI
The LaLiga director general Javier Gomez offered a bit more insight into the above stating:
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
“Until [Barca] recover the net worth that they’ve lost, the only way they can spend is with the 1:4 rule, where if you save €10m, you can spend €2.5m."
Barcelona have also reportedly deferred wages, which they appear to be trying to negotiate to reduce. Frenkie de Jong may just be the tip of the iceberg.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
At the start of the 21/22 season, Barcelona 'cushioned' their accounts meaning if they can get any fee for Umtiti, Pjanic & Neto it counts as direct profit. Cushioning accounts is a desperate sign.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
This is also luring & bound to come up again in the very near future - https://t.co/SGIWWeBrh7
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
Eduard Romeu has said the club need £427million to save the club from its current mess. That amount would only half their total debt.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
Barcelona still reportedly owes near £100m transfer fees on several different players.
Barcelona still have wages of £4.1m (est) a week if they sign Raphinha for the 22/23 season.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
That's down from £5.6m (est) 20/21.
They still have 2 players on over £300k a week, 8 players on over £200k a week & 17 players on over £100k a week.
They've run their squad to the limit.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
Barcelona's current site will show you a list of 22 players for 1st team.
2 not registered - Kessie & Christensen
4 are 33+
2 are zero value players; Umtiti & Neto.
Raphinha being registered appears to be predicated on sale of De Jong.
AS have stated that Barcelona may have had to defer many of their players wages for the whole of June & that they plan to ask loyal players like Busquets, Pique, Alba and ter Stegen to take yearlong wage reductions for the second time.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
So how are Barcelona trying to fix the issues?
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
Laporta wants to sell off up to 49.9% in; Barça Studios, Barça Licensing and Merchandise (BLM), which would help ease some burden.
However, their main issue / best potential solution seems to be their long-term TV rights.
Barca sold 10% already for 25 years to ease pressure.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
Reports CVC & Sachs have offered up to 250m Euros to take around 15% of Barcelona's TV rights for up to the next 50 years. This seems to be the light for Barcelona, but Laporta is dragging his heels. This time it may be valid
Selling off additional TV rights (to take the total up to around 25%) is really one of the last moves (after %'s in the aforementioned ventures) that Barcelona have at their disposal so they need to get the decision 100% right, but time is of the essence.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
What if Barca don't make Europe?
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) July 13, 2022
What if players fight back against deferred wages?
What if loyal players refuse to accept cuts?
What if Pjanic and Umtiti can't be offloaded?
What if De Jong deal collapses?
All could be the single straw that breaks the camel's back.
/end
Thoughts on Barcelona's current situation?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy - FC Barcelona/La Liga
Topics: Barcelona, Gerard Pique, La Liga, Frenkie De Jong, Raphinha
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