‘We are not in intensive care anymore but we are still in hospital’: Barcelona are on the verge of their first LaLiga title in four years, but the club remains in financial TURMOIL ahead of a hectic summer off the pitch
- Barcelona will win their first LaLiga title in four years if they beat Espanyol today
- Xavi has overseen a fantastic year of progress on the pitch during this season
- But, Barcelona’s well-publicised financial problems remain ahead of the summer
If Barcelona beat Espanyol today they will win their first Spanish league title since Lionel Messi left the club. But the success will be tinged with ongoing financial concerns, fears that they cannot possibly afford to re-sign Messi — and the urgent need to find a new director of football after Mateu Alemany left for Aston Villa.
‘We are not in intensive care anymore but we are still in hospital,’ said Barcelona’s Economic vice-president Eduard Romeu this week. ‘If we want to bring in any player we have to sell one for the same amount.’
That’s the optimistic forecast – Barcelona need to reduce the wage bill by 200m euros in order to be allowed to operate on a 1:1 basis in the transfer market.
If they fail to do that then La Liga will apply the 40 per cent rule on the club meaning they will have to make 100m to spend 40m.
Referring to the first scenario Romeu added: ‘I want to make it clear that for any player to come in, a player of the same value needs to go out.’
Barcelona are on the verge of their first LaLiga title in four years following a superb campaign
However, the club remain plagued by off-field financial troubles ahead of a hectic summer
Long-serving Sergio Busquets has announced he will leave at the end of the season when his contract runs out. His decision not to stay is also seen as an indication that, for all that both sides have talked up a romantic return, it remains highly unlikely Messi is coming home.
He and Busquets have an unwritten pact that they will play together for at least one more season before they retire. Busquets turning down Barcelona’s offer of a 70 per cent pay cut on his old contract suggests the two will reunite in Saudi Arabia.
Of his departing midfielder, Barça coach Xavi said yesterday: ‘This title is…