Barcelona to find it difficult to reach the 1:1 rule before transfer window closes

According to recent information from RAC 1, Barcelona face significant challenges in meeting the 1:1 financial fair play requirement by the 30th of August. However, while the task is daunting, it is not entirely out of reach for the management.

This summer, Barcelona were already dealing with an unpaid sum of €40 million owed to Libero. In addition to this, another €60 million was due by the end of June, bringing the total amount to €100 million.

This debt originated from the Barça Vision lever, an agreement signed in 2022, of which only an initial €20 million had been received.

Details of the Libero deal

As the financial year 2023-2024 drew to a close, the club presented its accounts to La Liga, showing that the €40 million debt to Libero had been resolved, at least on paper, with the amount being effectively “forgiven.”

This non-payment had already penalised Barcelona in the transfer market last summer, but La Liga, after reviewing the club’s finances, considers that Barcelona has made significant efforts to rectify the situation and clean up its accounts.

Barcelona are not giving up on their efforts to achieve the 1:1 rule. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

By closing the last financial year positively, significantly reducing expenses, and increasing income—helped by the sales of Ousmane Dembele and Franck Kessie—Barcelona have managed to cover the €40 million deficit owed to Líbero.

There’s more work to do

Now, the focus is on addressing the remaining €60 million deficit to avoid further penalties. To this end, Aramark’s official investment of approximately €25 million in shares has been a crucial step forward.

In addition, the club is in negotiations with several other companies to secure further investments, although it is expected that no significant updates will be available until the end of the month.

Another potential solution to improve the financial situation is the sale of players, which would help reduce the wage bill and generate additional income.

To get closer to complying with the 1:1 financial fair play rule, Barcelona must also finalise a new contract with Nike. Achieving this, along with securing other potential deals, could allow the club to meet the requirement.

There is also a more remote option of securing additional endorsements, which La Liga would likely accept.

While meeting the 1:1 rule by the 30th of August is extremely challenging, it is not impossible. Meanwhile, it’s important to note that Barcelona continues to operate as a club that needs to generate substantial savings in wages and amortisation in order to register new players, especially since they are not yet compliant with the 1:1 rule.