Barcelona to decide on kit manufacturer by March as Nike increase offer amid Puma threat

Barcelona are under contract with Nike until 2028 but as the new season looms, the team from Catalonia has reportedly been approached by other manufacturers, namely, Puma, forcing them to reconsider the current contract.

As such, a report from Mundo Deportivo has emerged that Barcelona are currently in the final stretch of the negotiation with both Nike and Puma. While the former has improved their offer, it is still not as high as the latter.

The difference between the two manufacturers is that Nike is focusing more on bonuses while Puma have put forward a substantial fixed fee. 

Barcelona have plan C as well

As reported by MD, apart from partnering with big brands like the aforementioned, the team from Catalonia is also exploring other options like manufacturing their kits by themselves.

They have started taking steps towards this idea by visiting factories in countries like Bangladesh and China and they are also talking to a big distributor to make sure the jerseys can be sold everywhere in the world. 

Nike have manufactured Barcelona’s kit since 1998. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

It is said that Barcelona want to finalize their decision by March, so they can start making jerseys for the next season, although Nike is already manufacturing the 2024-25 kit. 

Settling on a decision is really important for Barcelona as breaking the contract with Nike could lead to penalties.

Regardless of the decision, Barcelona are aiming to make their jerseys the highest-paid and most valuable in the market, potentially reaching €200 million per season.

Nothing is decided yet

As of today, Barcelona are still deciding which brand will provide the team’s kit from July 1 onwards. Initially, Nike did not want to discuss a new deal and pointed to their existing contract until 2028. 

However, in the past few weeks, Nike, who has been supplying Barcelona’s kit since 1998, has changed its stance and made a better offer. However, the offer is not as high as what other brands like Puma are willing to pay. 

Regardless of what Barcelona decide, they know that they would still have the highest-paid contract in the market.