With just nine days left until the summer transfer window closes, Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, is facing a race against time to secure the registration of Spanish forward Dani Olmo. The club is grappling with financial constraints, making the task of registering new players particularly challenging under La Liga’s stringent financial regulations.
Although the recent departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester City is expected to free up approximately €20 million (£17m/$22m) in gross annual wages, and the impending loan of Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque to Real Betis offers some temporary relief, these moves alone are not enough. Barcelona needs to offload several more players to create the necessary financial space to register Olmo.
One of the key players potentially on the move is Mika Faye. Barcelona had nearly finalized his transfer to Rennes, but unexpected late interest from Lille, PSV Eindhoven, and Besiktas has complicated the situation.
Barcelona is aiming to secure around €15 million (£13m/$17m) from Faye’s sale while retaining some level of control over his future, likely through a buy-back clause or a percentage of future sales. However, these conditions have slowed down the negotiations as the involved clubs deliberate over the terms.
READ ALSO:
Oando PLC Finalizes $783 Million Acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company
Meanwhile, the situation with French defender Clement Lenglet is proving even more challenging. Barcelona is eager to offload Lenglet, ideally through a permanent transfer, to reduce their wage bill significantly.
However, his substantial salary is a significant barrier. No European club has shown willingness or financial capability to match his current wages, and Lenglet himself is reluctant to move to a less prestigious league like Saudi Arabia, despite potential offers.
His preference is to join Atletico Madrid on loan, but the two clubs have yet to reach an agreement on the terms of such a move.
This transfer saga highlights Barcelona’s broader financial struggles. The club’s inability to register Olmo, despite the high-profile departures, underscores the precarious balance they must maintain to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
The next few days will be crucial for Barcelona as they work to navigate these complex issues, stabilize their financial situation, and achieve their sporting objectives.
Deco and his team are under immense pressure to finalize deals that will allow them to move forward with their plans for the season, but the challenges are formidable and the clock is ticking.