Barcelona Faces Wage Bill Crisis, Struggles to Register Full Squad
As of today, FC Barcelona finds itself in a critical situation regarding player registration for La Liga, with the club only able to register 16 players. This issue stems from substantial wage bills, necessitating the departure of several players to alleviate financial pressures. However, Barcelona’s attempts to offload players have been met with resistance, as many are reluctant to leave the club.
In his recent farewell address, Sergi Roberto remarked, “You cannot leave Barcelona; they have to fire you,” highlighting the challenging nature of exiting the club. Barcelona’s efforts to place key players such as Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski, and Ilkay Gündogan on the market have been unsuccessful, as none have shown willingness to depart.
Further compounding the situation, Barcelona also sought to transfer Rafinha, who received a substantial offer from a Saudi Arabian club valued at 60 million euros. Nonetheless, Rafinha expressed his desire to remain at Barcelona, though his relationship with Deco—his former agent and current Barcelona sporting director—might influence his decision. Deco has informed Rafinha that the club’s starting wingers will be Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo, potentially relegating Rafinha to a secondary role.
Manchester United has emerged as a significant player in the ongoing situation. With the anticipated departure of Varane, the club is exploring options to strengthen its attack and is keen on acquiring Rafinha. The English club views Rafinha as a valuable addition, envisioning a dynamic partnership with Marcus Rashford. Manchester United is prepared to offer 80 million euros for Rafinha, a sum that could substantially address Barcelona’s financial concerns.
As Barcelona navigates these challenges, the prospect of constructing a new Camp Nou and improving financial stability remains a long-term goal. Until then, the club continues to grapple with its current wage bill issues and player registration constraints.
