Barça is performing well on the pitch, but it has financial problems off it. With clear objectives for the transfer market, Deco and Laporta are looking to balance the books so they can sign the players they want to improve a squad that has performed very well.
Fair play, LaLiga, and open warfare
Barça has had several turbulent summers with financial problems when it comes to signing and registering players. The latest and most high-profile case was that of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, which is still causing a stir since the Barça team obtained an injunction this summer to be able to register both players, the former being crucial in several games this season for the Azulgranas.
However, the soap opera continues. LaLiga has requested precautionary measures to prevent FC Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor from participating in the remainder of the season. This comes after the CSD’s decision to allow both players to play until the end of the season. In addition, just a few weeks ago, the body headed by Javier Tebas issued an official statement claiming that Barça had no salary cap, which has sparked outrage among the club’s fans.
In an official statement, Barça demands “absolute discretion” from LaLiga and its president, Javier Tebas, regarding the financial information provided by the club, and has announced that it will resign from its position on the Delegate Committee, the governing and administrative body of the employers’ association, in protest. It also states that it will not hesitate to take legal action if necessary.
Jonathan Tah waits and offers himself to Real Madrid
Jonathan Tah has long been linked with a move to strengthen FC Barcelona’s defense, but given the aforementioned problems, it is impossible, at least for the moment, to seal his signing and, therefore, his subsequent registration to officially play for the club. “The center back is starting to get impatient about deciding his future, and in the new and imminent contacts between the parties, he will know more clearly that he must start considering other alternatives,” according to Sport.
The player’s desire makes him patient, but his wish for the situation to be resolved before the summer seems impossible, as Barça needs to make moves in the transfer market and clarify its financial situation. Barça are looking to offload Christensen and Araujo in the summer, so they are not ruling out signing a center back, with Tah the favorite.
However, in recent weeks, and given the wait Barça are putting the center back through, the Bayer Leverkusen player has been presented with a new option at their eternal rivals, Real Madrid. According to Grada3, the player’s entourage is talking about an offer to the Whites for next season. He would arrive on a free transfer, as his contract expires this season. The arrival of Xabi Alonso at the Whites would be key to the player’s signing.
U-turn: he is considered a done deal at Barça
According to recent information from Sky Sports Germany, Barça and Tah have already reached an agreement for the German defender to join the Catalan club next summer. Sky also points out that if the deal falls through and Xabi Alonso signs for Real Madrid, he could end up at the Santiago Bernabéu or Bayern Munich, another club that has been close to him in recent years.
The 29-year-old German defender will arrive on a free transfer, but for the moment the club has been unable to guarantee his registration as it is outside the 1:1 Financial Fair Play rule. He therefore remains on standby while other teams such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also considering signing him if the opportunity arises.