Football club Barcelona is one of the most popular and well-known sports institutions across the globe. They have one of the best academies in world football in ‘La Masia’ which produce famous players like Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pique, Alba, and many more.
In the first two decades of this century, they’re arguably one of the best sides in European club football, however, they were grounded both on and off the pitch. Lack of vision, pure leadership, and immature spending on the transfer market resulted in a perilous financial situation that was so grave that they failed to extend the contract with their greatest ever player, Messi. An early election, a couple of managerial changes, and after a trophy-less season later, they are now finding their feet again.
From where does the money arrive?
Economically Barcelona was in a delicate situation. The debt rose to more than 1 billion and they were unable to register players. La Liga set their salary limit which is -€244 million. So, how do they recover from that shaky condition? Well, the newly elected board do anything and everything to make things straight.
To improve the squad and make it a title contender again was their basic agenda and to do so, they need money. Barcelona tied with music streaming site Spotify for a huge €280 million deal. They sold the shirt sponsorship for both men’s and women’s teams for the next 4 years and for the first time in their history, they sold the naming rights of their Iconic venue. From this season on, it will be called ‘Spotify Nou Camp’.
Barcelona hierarchies also search for other options to generate money. They sold their licensing and merchandising company BLM’s 49% share. They sold their 25% tv rights for the next 25 years too. Of course, these are important properties nonetheless they need a cash injection and reinforcement in the squad is obligatory.
Movement in the transfer market:
Barcelona is having a great transfer window so far. A massive overhaul is indispensable as they are without their talismanic No. 10, Messi who used to bail them out on many occasions. Till now they did really well. They signed Ferran Torres from Manchester City, a young Spanish prospect, who can serve the club for many years to come, and a veteran striker Aubameyang in the winter transfer window.
And this time, they have already signed Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich for €50 million. They have resigned with Ousmane Dembele too whose contract expired at the end of June. They signed 25-year-old Brazilian International, Raphinha from Leeds United for €58 million. Even after saying adieu to the loanees like Adama Traore and Luuk De jong they have a surplus on the forward line.
Ansu Fati has recovered from injury, Torres, Aubameyang, Lewandowski, Dembele and Rafinha will be six key players for Xavi next season nevertheless he has Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite, and some academy graduates also at his rank although the club trying to sell both of the aforementioned players.
Barcelona did a tremendous job by signing some free agents recently. They welcomed Andreas Christensen from Chelsea who has a huge experience and a long career ahead. Defense is the weak link for the Catalan club and this signing will surely bolster their back.
Physical & experienced midfielder Frank Kessie was also signed for free from the newly Serie A champion Ac Milan. His versatility will undoubtedly help to further strengthen the midfield where there are already so many performers. The club is looking forward to selling their prized asset Frankie de long to Manchester United. A fee has been negotiated between the two clubs which is around €71 million.
Even though the Dutch international is a brilliant player and can be one of the best in his position, still he can generate a huge amount of money which is essential to the club, and after the signing of Kessie, there are enough players also. Busquets, Pedri, and Gavi who recently put pen to paper to sign a new long-term deal are the coach’s favorite players for the starting XI. They try to sell Riqui Puig also.
Barcelona should pay more attention to their back as it’s the side that drowned them the most in the recent past. Jordi Alba is aging and finding an alternative for him is crucial. Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso is on the club’s radar for that position. T
Barcelona loaned out Lenglet to Tottenham but Umtiti is still here. Pique is still the club’s best defender even though his off-field activities often broke his concentration. Academy graduate Eric Garcia is there and Christensen will improve the side but another central defender is necessary and the club is looking forward to signing Sevilla’s Jules Kunde. The French International has admirers from all across Europe but it could be the Catalan club that would be victorious in their pursuit. A right-back position is also a vulnerable place for the club but it can be manageable if they can do other things perfectly.
Barcelona do real business this time and under the stewardship of the club legend Xavi, they can bring their glory back to Camp Nou. Let’s just wait and see, how the last part of the transfer window goes and how the players do their job. But the club is doing a fantastic job so far, that’s for sure.
