Saudi Arabian companies keeping tabs on Barcelona, hope to enter a partnership – reports

Last summer, Joan Laporta triggered several economic levers to help Barcelona out of the economic shambles.

The deals mortgaged the club’s future revenue for an immediate cash injection through which they completed the signings of many game-changers including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.

The Catalans’ investment did not reap immediate rewards on the European front but did help them get over the line in La Liga. However, the Blaugranas are still in neck-deep water economically.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, several Saudi Arabian companies are waiting to see how Barcelona’s situation unfolds. They hope to make partnerships with the club in exchange for providing it with much-needed capital inflow.

MD adds that there has been no formal contact between the Catalans and Saudi investors yet. However, there has been a consultation with Spanish representatives who know of the club’s situation.

A rising force

Saudi Arabia has been in the headlines all summer for the numerous high-profile signings they have pulled off in recent months.

What began as Al Nassr’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo has now become a common occurrence in the transfer market. The Middle-East-based League has roped in names including, but not limited to, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino.

While the Saudi league is growing in popularity and reach through its multimillion-dollar signings, the nation wishes to be open to expanding business across the globe.

Strategic investment in top European clubs is seen as a favourable step on that front, and Barcelona is one of their prime targets.

Constant links with the middle east

This is not the first time that parties from the Middle East have been interested in investing in the club. After all, Joan Laporta travelled to Qatar a few weeks ago to discuss such operations personally.

In the weeks that followed, the Azulgranas even received an offer from the Qatari League to allow a club to use their name in exchange for big money.

The interest this time around is from Saudi Arabia, albeit with similar motives. All that remains to be seen is whether it comes to fruition and how it impacts the club’s long-term sustainability.