Author: Amrit Santlani
Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona continue to flirt with financial turmoil. Since new president Joan Laporta took charge of the club, the Catalans have overcome one obstacle after another to register players, having seen their spending capacity drastically reduced. Xavi’s side recently completed the signing of Vitor Roque, ruling out interest from other big teams in the Brazilian star.
Roque is expected to leave Athletico Paranaense at the end of the current Serie A season in a transfer worth €35 million (£30 million/$38 million). However, like many other signings before Roque, the Catalans need to find creative ways to register their latest acquisition.
According to a report in Mundo Deportivo, Barça will be forced to sell some of their players or find new sources of income before they can welcome the 18-year-old striker into their team.
The report also adds that Barcelona have seen their salary cap reduced to €270 million (£232 million/$287 million), from €649 million (£557 million/$690 million) previously. La Liga has already given the Camp Nou side an important warning.
The Spanish giants have already been forced to use various “levers” to accommodate players like Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez, João Felix and João Cancelo. So, when Roque is signed in January, Barcelona will be forced to get rid of some of the stars in their first team, unless they manage to close other sponsorship deals to add more money to the coffers to register the Brazilian prodigy.
Roque received offers from Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, but Deco’s close relationship with the player’s team helped Barça seal the deal.
The reigning champions started their league campaign on a negative note with a 0-0 draw against Getafe, but with three wins in as many games since then, Xavi’s side are just two points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Barcelona will host Real Betis at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys on September 17, amid the ongoing renovation work at the Camp Nou.