Barça in Trouble! LaLiga Halts Their Summer Signing Plan

LaLiga's decision to cancel the income of €100M related to the sale of 5% of the exploitation rights of the VIP boxes at the new Spotify Camp Nou puts FC Barcelona in serious trouble ahead of the upcoming transfer market. This operation had allowed the club to free up enough 'Fair Play' to return to the 1:1 rule without relying on the sale of any of its players.

However, by refusing to count this income in the 2024-25 balance, the club is once again exceeding its salary cap, meaning it cannot sign or renew players without making another extraordinary income. Although the management and coaching staff are very satisfied with the current squad, the incorporation of at least two or three players is planned for the next transfer window to strengthen the defense and attack.

A left-back and a left winger are, in principle, the priorities to address between July and August, although it is not completely ruled out to go for another center forward and a right-back. In any case, without the €100 million corresponding to the sale of the VIP boxes, the club is once again tied hands for negotiating reinforcements. Although Barça is certainly short on cash to sign players, the 1:1 rule is key to being able to incorporate players without restrictions.

Pending Renewals, Another Headache to Solve

Furthermore, if the club does not have enough 'Fair Play', it will be impossible to finalize pending renewals, including that of Lamine Yamal. The management has everything agreed with Jorge Mendes for the signing of the new contract for the winger in July, but if LaLiga insists on denying the income from the boxes, it will be impossible to validate the contractual extension of the player from Mataró, whose current contract is valid until 2026.

The other Barça players pending to sign new contracts are Wojciech Szczesny and Frenkie de Jong. The goalkeeper's salary does not pose a major problem due to his low salary, but the situation is different with the Dutchman. The club urgently needs to readjust the contract of the player from Arkel, one of the highest-paid players in the squad. However, the management must first resolve the mess with LaLiga and the boxes of the renovated culé temple.

For now, Barça has until June 30 to prove to the new auditor of the league, Crowe Global, that the money derived from this operation is already in their coffers, regardless of whether the boxes are enabled at the Spotify Camp Nou or not. If LaLiga insists on denying the visa for this 'lever', the club will be forced to close one or several important sales to balance the accounts before the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year.