Barcelona set to activate €200 million lever to return to 1:1 rule and ensure key registrations

For the first time in years, Barcelona’s priority in the summer transfer window is to go for renewals and registrations and not pay heed to new signings.

While the situation does speak volumes about the team’s good run of form and the manager’s faith in the squad, it also reflects the persistent economic issue that handicaps the club on the market front.

The deal with Nike was expected to help Barcelona return to the 1:1 rule at the earliest, but the new sponsorship deal also fell relatively short in restoring financial stability. 

Needless to say, the situation placed Dani Olmo and Pay Victor in dire situations as their registration with La Liga ends in January.

New lever incoming

As relayed by SPORT in a recent update, Joan Laporta and Co. have worked out a new means by which they can bring in the required financial injection and are optimistic that they can get both players registered in time.

The plan is to activate a lever to sell the rights for a part of the VIP section of the new Spotify Camp Nou in advance for the next 20 years and the club estimate to rake in close to €200 million through this operation.

It is not a novel idea as it has been done by several of Europe’s elite in the past including the club’s arch-rivals Real Madrid in recent years.

Earlier, Laporta and Co. planned to complete the sale of a stake in Barça Vision to help solve the crisis. They now prefer to wait for the right strategic partner and will wait until the summer, making the VIP seat sales the best way forward.

Several companies have already shown interest in acquiring the rights for the VIP seats in consideration, with one in Qatar already ready to shell out the entire €200 million. A definitive agreement, thus, is close.

The club have got the green light from Goldman Sachs to pursue the lever and only a final agreement is pending. Moreover, they have even informed La Liga of their idea and it is clear that there will be no registration troubles once it is clear.

As it stands, the Catalans are optimistic to get everything over the line by January 9 including the aforementioned registrations and the renewals of Gavi and Pedri. 

Further, they will also have funds required to make new signings, although there is nothing planned at the moment.