FC Barcelona is still basking in the glow of winning three titles and coming within a whisker of a fourth, the Champions League. Hansi Flick’s Barça is exciting, and their good work throughout the season has made it a priority for the team to keep the core that has brought them success. That is why the renewals of players such as Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have been a priority and have been finalized in recent days. Therefore, no major sales are expected this summer, as this is not the club’s intention despite its financial situation.
Laporta plays down fair play
The last few summers have been difficult for Barça in terms of signings. The financial situation has prevented them from making any major investments and, in addition, there have been problems with the salary cap, with the CSD even having to intervene with a precautionary measure to allow Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor to play for Barça this season. Barça have been fortunate that this situation has coincided with a great generation of youth players who have saved the day.
Looking ahead to this summer, Laporta says there will be no problems with the transfer market. “Fair play is determined by LaLiga at the end of the season depending on budgets. We will bring in €950 million this year. Next season, the budget will exceed €1 billion. We are confident that we will be at 1:1. This makes it much easier for Deco to work,“ said the Barça president. He added that ”last season we closed with positive results and that helped us a lot. Above all, it is easier for Deco to work with 1-1 than with 1-4.”
An extra source of income
With loan deals and percentages of future sales retained from former squad members, Barça could earn around $50 million this summer and thus avoid having to make those painful sales. Names such as Alex Valle, Todibo, Mingueza, Trincao, Mika Mármol, and Ilaix Moriba are the safest options for extra income that Laporta is rubbing his hands over.
Another deal close to completion that could leave a dent in Barça’s coffers is that of Clément Lenglet, who left on loan to Atlético Madrid last summer after renewing his contract with Barça until June 30, 2027. This is not Lenglet’s first loan spell, having previously left Barça for Tottenham and Aston Villa, where he failed to settle.
Barça speeds up Lenglet’s departure
With the end of the loan spell approaching, decisions have to be made, and both Barça and Atlético are already working on it. The Colchoneros want to keep him, and the Azulgranas want to let him go. It’s a perfect plan that could be expedited by the Club World Cup that Atlético will play this June.
Like Real Madrid, Atlético has a special deadline to close transfer deals, which is why Laporta wants to speed things up and have everything settled before June 10.
The player wants to continue at the Metropolitano and is willing to give up part of his salary to sign a good contract in Madrid. FC Barcelona wants to profit from the deal, while Atleti is more reluctant to pay a large amount. Deco, Barça’s sporting director, believes it is better to close the deal as soon as possible and free up salary space than to wait for a big transfer fee. The next few days will be crucial for the agreement to be finalized and for the center back’s definitive departure from Barcelona to be sealed.