For the last few years, FC Barcelona have been going into the market with their hands tied due to the economic and financial regulations of La Liga. Their problems with Financial Fair Play and other economic matters have been a significant barrier keeping them from competing with other big European clubs for their preferred targets.
While this has not kept the Catalans from strengthening their team, they have had to rely mainly on free agents, like Ilkay Gundogan and Andreas Christensen, or low-cost loans, like Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo, to be able to remain a competitive team in Spain and Europe.
This summer, Barcelona again have to strengthen their squad after a trophyless last season but still face these problems. However, things are seemingly going in the right direction as reports and comments from club officials claim that the Blaugranes will soon return to the 1:1 rule.
This improvement has also been recognized by some external agents, and as SPORT has reported, the President of La Liga, Javier Tebas, himself disclosed to the media that this year it will be easier for FC Barcelona to sign new players than the last few years:
“This year, out of all the recent years, it has the easiest path. Barcelona knows what it needs to do to sign players, understands financial ‘fair play’, and manages it well.”
“They are emerging from their complicated economic situation, and we’ll see if they can resolve the few remaining issues to make the important signings they are hoping for.”
Tebas also explained how the Catalans have significantly reduced their wage bill over the last few years, and disclosed that they are now at the same level as Real Madrid:
“There is an essential fact. Three years ago, Barcelona had a first-team wage bill of €650 million. Today, it’s €450 million, €250 million less, which is more manageable for a team like Barcelona.”
“They are now at the same salary levels as Real Madrid, but Madrid has been doing their homework well for many years, which is why they can sign players.”
These are very encouraging words from a person who is known in the Barcelona fanbase for taking public positions mostly against their club. Signs of this economic revival are also coming from the club, as a recent report indicated that the Catalans were getting increasingly confident of getting one of their top left-wing targets this summer.
