Laporta confirms Barcelona close to returning to advantageous FFP rule, could make big signings

Earlier today, Barcelona president Joan Laporta appeared in front of the media, where he confirmed Xavi Hernandez will continue as manager and explained the reasons behind sticking with the 44-year-old.

During the long chat with the media, the Barça chief also dropped a big bombshell which would come as a huge boost to the club heading into the summer.

Barcelona close to 1:1 rule

Indeed, Barcelona president Laporta confirmed that Barcelona are closer to returning to the 1:1 Financial Fair Play (FFP) rule in the summer.

The return to the 1:1 condition would entail that Barcelona can spend every euro they generate through sales or sponsors deals or save from their wage budget on new signings.

“We are working to try to achieve the 1:1 rule to be able to incorporate players. The other day La Liga congratulated us for the efforts we are making to reduce the wage bill,” confirmed Laporta, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“At the end of the season we are pushing for operations to achieve the 1:1. They will decide how much they can reinforce,” he said.

The Barcelona president added that it was still not locked in totally as La Liga is yet to give its approval, but things are headed in the right direction.

“At the moment, LaLiga’s approval has not been given. They have told us that we are on the right track,” he said.

Barcelona could return to the 1:1 rule. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Giving an insight into the club’s financial situation at the moment, the Barcelona chief remarked:

“The club is recovering financially, it is a fact, with the “Espai Barça”, which is taking shape. Everything looks like we will be able to return to 65% capacity in December, something we need with all due respect to Estadi Lluís Companys and the first team, which is the driving force behind the club.

“There are a number of operations, linked to Barça Vision, and sooner or later this will come together. La Liga understands that this season or next season there will be a situation of normality in the ‘fair play’ in the operating account.”

As of today, Laporta confirmed that “we can’t do a certain level of operations but at some point we will achieve it.”

“We won’t do things that don’t make sense even if we are on the 1:1 rule,” he promised.

As mentioned earlier, a return to the 1:1 ruling would allow Barcelona to go about business in the transfer window normally, with greater freedom than the past couple of summers.

It would also open the doors for the club to make a move for top targets like Bernardo Silva, who would otherwise have been out of reach.