Barcelona to decide between Nike and Puma as their kit manufacturers following improved offers

Apart from finding a new manager for the season ahead, Barcelona are facing another dilemma in the form of shirt sponsorship.

The club are not happy with long-term kit sponsor Nike and the relationship between the two has deteriorated massively over the past six months.

This has led Barcelona to find other alternatives, with Puma, for one, serious about replacing Nike as the club’s main shirt sponsor.

Barcelona drop plan to manufacture own shirt

Aside from signing deals with global apparel giants, Barcelona have also deliberated on the possibility of manufacturing its own shirts, with Hummel appearing as a potential partner.

However, as per RAC1, Barcelona have dropped the plan to manufacture its own shirts and are likely to focus on sponsorship deals.

This comes as hardly a surprise as starting an ownership model is often a tedious task that requires a lot of funding and logistics costs.

Given the club’s ongoing financial turmoil, it is almost impossible for the Blaugrana to manufacture its own kits.

Improved offer from Nike

RAC1 further reports that Nike has finally decided to improve its offer, in an attempt to coax Barcelona to continue the contract that runs until 2028.

However, despite Nike’s improved offer, Puma’s proposal still appears more lucrative, with the German apparel giant ready to offer €20-30 million more than their American counterparts.

The onus is now on Barça to come up with a final decision regarding its shirt sponsor in the years to come.

From a practical standpoint, a partnership with Puma could make sense and offer much-needed freshness into Barcelona’s kit business while adding new synergies to the club’s business portfolio.