Unpaid switch charges have as soon as once more come again to hang-out Barcelona, worsening an already fragile financial state of affairs that exhibits no signal of easing. After years of lavish spending and bold tasks — together with strikes for prime gamers like Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha — the Catalan aspect is now going through short-term cost obligations that might form its future each on and off the pitch.
The most recent monetary report confirms that the Spanish membership owes a staggering $168.4 million in unpaid switch charges. The revelation comes because the crew, nonetheless recovering from the aftermath of Lionel Messi’s departure, continues to chase home and European glory whereas juggling huge monetary commitments.
Mounting debt and the true price of rebuilding
In line with Marca and reviews introduced at Barcelona’s Members’ Meeting, the membership’s complete debt exceeds $2.27 billion, a determine that features bills from participant acquisitions, stadium redevelopment, and long-term financing offers. Essentially the most urgent concern, nevertheless, lies within the $168 million owed to different golf equipment for transfers accomplished between 2022 and 2025.
These excellent funds might be traced again to the crew’s costly 2022 rebuild, when the membership launched into an aggressive recruitment drive following Lionel Messi’s departure. That summer season noticed the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Jules Kounde, all supposed to usher in a brand new period of competitiveness. Three years later, the worth of that ambition is clearer than ever.
Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona
The Blaugrana nonetheless owes round $46.9 million to Leeds for Raphinha, $27.2 million to Sevilla for Jules Kounde, and $10.6 million to Bayern Munich for Lewandowski. In the meantime, current offers have solely added to the pressure — with $17.1 million as a consequence of Leipzig for Dani Olmo and $13.8 million to Manchester Metropolis for Ferran Torres.
Even gamers who’ve already left the membership are a part of the monetary burden. Regardless of promoting Vitor Roque to Palmeiras final 12 months, Barcelona nonetheless owes $18.9 million to Athletico Paranaense for the younger Brazilian ahead. Smaller quantities are additionally pending for golf equipment comparable to Actual Betis, Valencia, and Osasuna for gamers together with Emerson Royal and Abde Ezzalzouli.
Stadium dream that became monetary nightmare
The membership’s issues go far past transfer-related money owed. The Camp Nou renovation venture, a part of the formidable “Espai Barca” plan, was designed to modernize the stadium and generate $267 million in annual matchday income. As an alternative, delays, rising prices, and COVID-era monetary shocks have turned the dream right into a monetary headache.
Barcelona took on a $1.55 billion debt bundle to fund the redevelopment, which now stretches reimbursement obligations till 2050. The membership is at the moment taking part in on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, the place lowered capability and decrease ticket gross sales have led to a pointy decline in revenue.
This shortfall has made it tougher for the membership to fulfill its instant monetary tasks — together with the switch funds due this season. In line with Marca, $148 million of the $168 million debt have to be paid by the top of the 2025 fiscal 12 months, a determine that dwarfs the $48 million paid beneath the identical class final 12 months.
