Barcelona are still dealing with financial problems, despite their success on the pitch under Hansi Flick, who’s hunting for the treble in his first season in charge
Cash-strapped Barcelona are facing the daunting prospect of losing up to TEN academy players in the summer transfer window. Barca’s impressive first season under Hansi Flick has been built on the talents of La Masia graduates such as Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
The youngsters, two of whom are still teenagers, have helped Barcelona take the lead in this season’s LaLiga title race, reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and emerge as one of the favourites to win the Champions League. But the foundations of the club’s next era could be ripped from beneath them, as their financial issues linger.
Barcelona’s move to the renovated Camp Nou has been delayed several times, resulting in the club – who’ve played their men’s first-team matches at the city’s Olympic Stadium since August 2023 – missing out on vital funds, having already sold VIP seats. President Joan Laporta has also pulled several ‘levers’ to access additional funds during his four-year reign such as selling the club’s TV rights.
But Barca continually face problems when registering players, leading to the controversial situation regarding £50million summer signing Dani Olmo, who was briefly barred from playing matches in January. LaLiga chiefs initially ruled that Olmo and young forward Pau Victor couldn’t be registered until the summer due to Barcelona not having enough space within the league’s salary cap.
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Barcelona were given a reprieve after Spain’s supreme sports council granted the pair temporary registration, meaning that they can both play until April 7. But just like that situation, there’s another problem on the horizon.
According to Catalan outlet Sport, Barca could be forced to part ways with as many as 10 players from their current under-19 squad in the summer. Most of the talented group of youngsters are only contracted until June 30 and as things stand, they’d be allowed to leave for free.
Captain Arnau Pradas, striker Hugo Alba and winger Jan Virgili have reportedly been earmarked by Flick as future first-team players. But clubs from the Premier League and across Europe are keeping tabs on the trio with a view to capitalising on Barcelona’s financial woes.
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What could complicate matters is if Laporta and Co. attempt to make a marquee signing this summer. Newcastle talisman Alexander Isak has been linked with a return to Spain, having made his name at Real Sociedad before his £63m move to St James’ Park in 2022.
Sweden international Isak has been tipped to replace Robert Lewandowski as their star striker. Although he leads the LaLiga scoring charts and boasts 35 goals in all competitions, Lewandowski will turn 37 in August.
Flick’s side returned to the top of the LaLiga table via goal difference on Sunday after beating title rivals Atletico Madrid in dramatic fashion. Barcelona won 4-2 in Madrid after second-half goals from Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Yamal.
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