Barcelona set to agree new multi-million deal with Nike, will help club return to 1:1 rule

The saga of Barcelona’s shirt sponsor for next season has been ongoing for several months now, with no dearth of regular twists.

The story began back in November when the Catalan administration reviewed the American sports manufacturer’s valuation of the club and found it to be grossly inferior to the returns Barcelona provide.

Subsequent months saw the relations between Barcelona and Nike strain, with Puma coming in with a mammoth offer to take over as Barcelona’s chief sponsor.

Concurrent judicial procedures, however, made it almost impossible for Barcelona to sever ties with Nike immediately, for they would be forced to pay the manufacturer a hefty penalty for unilateral termination of the deal.

Mending bridges

As revealed by SPORT in a recent report, Barcelona are now edging closer to a new agreement with Nike.

The American MNC does not wish to lose Barcelona’s business, especially in light of the massive sales next year during the club’s 125th anniversary.

Barcelona, Nike close to an agreement. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The two parties have been working on a new deal for a few weeks now. As per the latest proposal from Nike, they offer a figure above the €100 million guaranteed by Puma. The Spanish outlet reveals that it could touch €120 million per year.

A renewal on the new terms would likely be for the long term, ten years to be specific. Further, there is talk of a massive renewal bonus that Nike will offer and the board are thus optimistic to close the deal soon.

The financial repercussions

As revealed above, the American giants are willing to pay Barcelona a €100 million renewal bonus for mending bridges with the manufacturer. That, needless to say, is a massive development considering the club’s financial situation.

The incoming €100 million will not only help the Catalans cover Libero’s defaulted payment of €40 million but also the €60 million that they must enter in June to fulfil the budget.

All in all, the arriving bonus will thus help set right the club’s finances to a large extent and even help them return to the 1:1 signing rule to reinforce the squad this summer.