Last year the Blaugrana’s debt amounted to a new record, but they are just getting caught in the transfer market this summer
How can Barcelona, which is said to be ‘bankrupt’, successfully recruited Raphinha, Franck Kessie, and Andreas Christensen? They owed more than €1 billion during Josep Maria Bartomeu’s presidency, with Joan Laporta now appointed as his successor in March 2021 to balance Barca’s wobbly boat.
In order to reduce Barca’s salary bill, Laporta had no other choice but to release several names last summer, including seven Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
Therefore, the 2021/22 season will be a season full of turbulence for Barca. But now they jor-rod in the transfer market this summer with the aim of returning to the top of Spanish La Liga and European Champions League next season.
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Laporta was allowed to sell various club assets by members of Barca’s top brass last June as they seek a capital injection so operations can run normally in the short term.
Barca successfully sold their first package of financial assets by agreeing a €267 million deal with investment group Sixth Street on 30 June 2022.
Barcelona sold 10 per cent of their La Liga broadcasting rights to the US firm, ensuring they make a profit at the end of the 2021/22 financial year – a major step towards improving their financial fortunes.
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Economic levers (economic lever) are now working to increase their capital, so that Barca will no longer exceed La Liga’s salary cap, with 15 per cent of their broadcasting rights set to be sold for €300 million.
The Catalan giants also sold a 49.9 per cent stake in Barca Licensing & Merchandising, bringing their earnings this summer to over €600 million and allowing them to register new players for the 2022/23 season.
Kessie and Christensen are among the two still unregistered, following their free transfers to Camp Nou following contracts at AC Milan and Chelsea, while Gavi’s new four-year contract will also not be formalized until all sales are completed.
Meanwhile, Sergio Roberto and Ousmane Dembele have both signed new contracts and are willing to cut their salaries significantly.
Barca bend Chelsea to buy Raphinha and sell players
Barca, by cornering Chelsea, have reached an agreement to sign winger Leeds United Raphinha is priced at €71 million – a massive figure for a club that has been said to have been bankrupt for the last 12 months.
Raphinha’s determination to push for a transfer was seen as significant in the deal process, as he agreed to give Barca time to finalize the commercial deals that were vital to getting their balance sheet positive again.
Barca are also counting on the sale of several players, with Samuel Umtiti, Riqui Puig and several others on the list.
Clement Lenglet is already on loan at Tottenham, while several bigger names could soon be sold, including Manchester United’s Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay.
Will Barca shop again?
Raphinha will be Barca’s latest signing completed before they receive their €600m injection.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Sevilla frontman Jules Kunde are also on Barca’s shopping list with Xavi looking to build a squad capable of competing for La Liga and Champions League titles.
In order to land the three names above, Barcelona did have to spend up to € 100 million, but it is still financially possible if they are able to sell players and complete commercial deals.
However, Barca must be careful in the future, because their overall income will decrease after selling some of their main assets (broadcasting rights).
They will certainly hunt for new sponsors with great value, such as when making the platform streaming Music, namely Spotify, is the main partner, and will try to maximize profits from the renovation of the Camp Nou – which will only be completed in 2026.
