Barcelona working on a strategy to ensure the registration of midfield prodigy

The registration issue of Gavi as a first-team player has been a major hurdle for FC Barcelona this term. Having handed the 18-year-old a new long-term contract with first-team wages back in September last year, the club were not in a position to register it at the time.

Following Memphis Depay’s exit in January, efforts were made to register Gavi’s first-team contract, but were blocked by La Liga. Ultimately, the club were successful in doing so thanks to a precautionary measure from the court.

However, in March, the court decided to suspend the precautionary measure citing that documents were filed past the deadline. And, hence, Gavi’s registration was overturned and he returned to his youth team contract and #30 jersey again.

As stipulated in his deal, the 18-year-old will become a free agent in the summer if not registered by June 30. It has alerted clubs across Europe, with Chelsea, in particular, said to be showing a strong interest.

Both, both Gavi and Barcelona are calm about the situation. The player, for his part, is not considering leaving the club at any point and the Catalans, meanwhile, are working on a plan to ensure his registration at the earliest possible.

Indeed, according to Roger Torello of Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are busy at work preparing an economic feasibility plan which they will present to La Liga soon. If they receive a green light on the plan, they could register not only Gavi but other players with new contracts like Ronald Araujo, Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto.

It is claimed that the club board led by president Joan Laporta and economic vice-president Eduard Romeu, along with the football management team led by director Mateu Alemany are working on the feasibility plan which will be sent to La Liga for approval.

As part of the plan, Barcelona are contemplating the exit of players whose wages are out-of-bounds with respect to the new salary scale in place. Sergio Busquets, for one, will be on his way out if he does not renew and if he does sign a new deal, it will come with a huge pay cut.

Jordi Alba, whose salary will be the highest at the club next season, could also be shown the doors if he does not accept a wage reduction.

The cost-cutting will not be limited to just the first team but would take place across the entire Barcelona institution, including other sports teams as well as the corporate structure, given that there is a need to reduce the wage bill by €200 million.

Finally, the option of a new lever is also being studied. The Catalans could sell 24% of Barça Studios which could generate €100 million in revenue.

The La Liga assembly is set to take place next Wednesday and Barcelona want to be prepared with their plan by then as they hope to get approval and press ahead with the contract registration of Gavi and the other players.