Transfers despite the mountain of debt
How can Barça even afford these mega deals?
Barcelona is one of the most active clubs in the transfer summer. How is that possible given the gigantic debt?
After a season without a title, FC Barcelona is going on the transfer offensive: Robert Lewandowski (for 50 million euros from Bayern Munich), Raphinha (58 million, Leeds United), Franck Kessié (free transfer, Milan) and Andreas Christensen (free transfer, Chelsea ) all move to the Camp Nou. Central defender Jules Koundé is also on the wish list. Sevilla should demand between 50 and 60 million euros for him.
This is how the Barça trick works
But how can an ailing club like Barcelona even afford such deals? After all, the Catalans had accumulated a mountain of debt of 1.35 billion euros over the years and exceeded the league’s salary limit by 144 million in March. Put simply, the Barça trick is simple: reduce expenses and increase income.
The former is primarily handled through player wages. At the time of Lionel Messi, top salaries were one of the biggest drivers of debt. Such contracts are no longer handed out. With 9 million net, Lewandowski is said to earn even less than in Munich (12 million net). In addition, midfielder Frankie de Jong, one of the last top earners left and right, is being offered for sale.
And President Joan Laporta has also opened up new sources on the income side: the streaming service Spotify is the first name sponsor of the Camp Nou for a reported 70 million euros per year. In addition, 10 percent of the TV rights and 49 percent of the merchandise rights were sold. Together, between 500 and 600 million euros should flow into the club coffers.
Next mega project
At first glance, the financial restructuring seems to be working. How sustainable it is remains to be seen. Because this summer, the next mega-project, which will cost 1.5 billion euros, will begin with the conversion of the stadium and club grounds. For the 2023/24 season, Barça even has to switch to the smaller Olympic Stadium, which means a loss of tickets. It will only be possible to play at full capacity in the renovated Camp Nou from 2025. (cmu)
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