Barcelona‘s problems with the Financial Fair Play are a real obstacle when facing the next transfer market. The sporting management, on the one hand, does not know how much money or how much space it will have in the wage bill to bring in reinforcements and, on the other hand, without knowing where it stands in this chapter it is very difficult to make a proposal to the new coach.
Joan Laporta, as MARCA already explained, needs 100 million euros to pay the installments of the sale of 49 percent of Barca Studios before the closing of the summer market. If he does not manage to do so, he will have very little room in the wage bill and will not be able to sign under the 1/1 rule.
To give you an idea, that 100 million is equivalent to one or more players whose annual cost (amortization plus signing) would amount to that amount. An increase in the wage bill of approximately 25% compared to what they have now.
One of the ways to mitigate this effect is the sale of a player to obtain that income. Nothing has been decided yet because in order to make the final decision it is necessary to know how the situation is and what income the club is getting through sponsorships, but the club is already working with the idea that it is very possible that some of its players will have to be sold.
The kids, untouchable
It is clear that there are some untouchable players, as is the case of all the youngsters who are the future of the team, such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Araujo, Fermin, Cubarsi, Ferran and Balde. And they must be joined by other veterans such as Ter Stegen, Gundogan and Lewandowski.
From this point on, offers are being considered. The club also wants the continuity of Frenkie de Jong, whom they intend to renew, but the Dutchman has not decided his future.
The emergence of Cubarsi
The three players who are most likely to leave if a sale is finally decided are Kounde, Christensen and Raphinha. On the subject of the central defender, much depends on how Pau Cubarsi finishes the season.
His performance in these first games with the first team has surprised everyone. It is clear that if he continues in this line he will be a player of the future and that would lead to a surplus of central defenders.
Many plants
Araujo is untouchable. Inigo Martinez is performing very well this season and his only problem has been the injuries he has suffered. These two plus Cubarsi would already be three central defenders, so between Kounde and Christensen, one should leave.
The sale of the Dane has the advantage that all the proceeds would be profit because he arrived at zero cost, while with Kounde there is a pending amortization of 30 million. And we must not forget Eric Garcia, who is on loan at Girona.
Raphinha’s exit
In the forward line, Raphinha could be the one to leave. The Brazilian has a lot of signings in the Premier League, but it is still too early to make a decision. We need to know what money is available and see if, for example, Joao Felix stays or not.
The Brazilian, as in the Kounde case, has a pending amortization of 30 million.