No Leeway from LaLiga to Barcelona
After the end of the winter transfer period in January, the Spanish League announced a reduction in Barcelona’s salary cap to 204 million euros. This will impact all transactions involving the Blaugrana during the winter period, and it will significantly affect the club’s financial planning for the next season.
The new salary cap shows a decrease of €66 million from the previous cap set in September 2023, which was €270 million. This marks a substantial reduction from the cap Barcelona operated under last February, which amounted to €648 million.
In January, Barcelona’s only activity in the transfer market was the acquisition of Vitor Roque from Atletico Paranaense. The deal, which was agreed upon last summer, is valued at 30 million euros, with the possibility of additional add-ons.
Barcelona were able to register Roque to play due to Gavi’s long-term absence which was a result of his anterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for the season. Article 77 of the Spanish League’s financial regulations provides clubs with flexibility in such cases, allowing them to register a replacement player as long as the replacement’s wage does not exceed 80% of the injured player’s wage.
Barcelona’s total cost for the 2023-24 season, including salaries and transfers, is officially €492 million, exceeding their allotted cap. Therefore, according to La Liga regulations, they must make cuts before signing any additional players.
Despite major cost-cutting efforts, Barcelona continues to struggle with one of the highest wage bills in world football. To manage their financial situation, the club has implemented various measures, including selling the club’s television rights and partially liquidating assets to relieve debt.
As a result of financial constraints, Barcelona was unable to make new signings before the start of the current season, including prominent players such as Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu, and Inigo Martinez.
Real Madrid maintain the highest salary cap in the league at €727m, followed by Atletico Madrid at €303m.
Despite Barcelona’s financial challenges, many Blaugrana fans in the UAE turn to Betway as the premier online betting site.
Despite facing financial constraints and operating under a reduced salary cap, Barcelona successfully acquired Vitor Roque from Atletico Paranaense. However, their total expenditure for the season surpasses the cap, prompting the need for cost-cutting measures. But even with these financial challenges, many Blaugrana fans in the Bahrain turn to Betway as the premier online betting site.
– Ali Seif El Din
