Barcelona in contact with La Liga to resolve FFP issues as midfield signing eyed for January

Mid-season signings have fared well for Barcelona in recent seasons. The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Adama Traore changed the course of the Catalans’ season during Xavi’s first year in charge while Dani Alves helped turn the defence around.

Last season, the club did not make any new signings in January, although they did see crucial departures in Memphis Depay, Gerard Pique and Hector Bellerin.

This time around, Barcelona have brought in the talented Vitor Roque to fortify the forward department. However, there is a serious void in midfield after Gavi’s injury that is yet to be filled.

The financial hurdle

Barcelona have been eyeing the signing of a new midfielder for a few months now with Xavi Hernandez even publicly insisting on it in his recent press conference.

The hurdle, however, has been on the financial front where the Catalans do not have sufficient margin to carry out such an operation.

Joan Laporta & co. were due to receive a massive economic injection in the summer from German investors Libero in exchange for a stake in Barça Vision. That investment never arrived even months later, leaving Barcelona paralysed on the transfer front.

According to reports from SPORT, the Azulgranas are already in contact with La Liga over a potential solution to the financial fair play problems. They are gunning the signing of a midfielder in January and it is only a matter of time before the required funds hit the coffers.

Once the money arrives, it will be up to the management to decide where to invest it. Xavi believes that the team are in dire need of a player of Gavi’s profile but Deco prefers the signing of a pivot to cover for Oriol Romeu who is out of form.

The lifeline

Barcelona’s sudden injection of funds is down to a new economic lever activated by Joan Laporta. Having not received the required funds from Libero, Orpheus, and Socios.com for 49% of Barça Studios did not arrive, the Catalans are open to new investors bidding for the rights.

The documentation for the sale of shares is already ready with two investors showing interest. Barcelona must choose between the two, and it is only a matter of days before it is finalized.

The catch, however, is that the club demands an upfront payment of €50 million from the finalised investor so as to avoid a saga such as last time’s. This would virtually solve all of Barcelona’s economic problems and open the door to a new signing.