Simply if you suppose Barcelona are again on observe, a well timed reminder of their laughable monetary state of affairs manifests.
After a tumultuous 2023/24 marketing campaign which noticed Xavi Hernandez depart in its aftermath, Hansi Flick has sought to return stability and a few bloody good soccer to Catalonia. The beginning of the German’s tenure has been spectacular, however there’s motive to consider the second half of 2024/25 will probably be trickier than the opening act.
Barca’s knack of kicking the can down the street for the sake of short-term respite is rearing its ugly head as soon as extra within the case of Dani Olmo. Signed in the summertime from RB Leipzig, the membership threat dropping considered one of Flick’s most trusted lieutenants totally free within the January switch window.
This is why.
Barcelona have been in a perpetual battle to register gamers since Joan Laporta returned as president in 2021. Nevertheless, whereas the state of affairs with Olmo is not essentially new, it’s distinctive.
Barca’s points when registering new gamers boils all the way down to La Liga’s wage restrict. Every group within the division boasts a wage restrict relying on the quantity of income they generate, and the Blaugrana have been working above their restrict for fairly a while.
The membership had been compelled to dump salaries and improve income streams with the intention to register Olmo, who joined Barca for £50m on a six-year deal. They did so because of the long-term damage sustained by Andreas Christensen on the finish of August. La Liga permit golf equipment to allocate 80% of any injured participant’s wage to register one other participant. Whereas 80% of Christensen’s wage wasn’t sufficient to cowl Olmo’s long-term contract, a brand new wage cap rule was created by La Liga which allowed Barca to register the Spaniard after he missed the primary two video games of the season.
Nevertheless, this new rule solely allowed the membership to register Olmo for the first-half of the 2024/25 season. This four-month allowance expires on 31 December 2024 and Barca are scampering in a bid to discover a resolution earlier than the deadline.
The clock is ticking however Barcelona stay hopeful of registering Olmo in time for the rest of the season. There’s hope the membership’s new sponsorship cope with Nike will instantly provide the requisite income, however Barca have additionally explored the potential of promoting VIP bins upfront for the glitzier Camp Nou and will additionally pull extra monetary levers by as soon as once more turning to Barca Studios.
Dangerous financial institution ensures may be signed by board members to register Olmo. The overall quantity they should adjust to La Liga’s wage restrict is €60m. Laporta and others opted for financial institution ensures when registering Joao Cancelo, Joao Felix and Jules Kounde.
There is a authorized avenue to take, too. Barcelona have filed a criticism to the town’s industrial court docket requesting Olmo, in addition to Pau Victor, be registered as they declare the gamers are being denied their proper to work. A call within the case is ready to be revealed on 27 December, simply 4 days earlier than the deadline.
It is from a perfect state of affairs, however sporting director Deco expressed confidence over Olmo’s registration forward of Barca’s 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League: “I’m certain we will register Dani Olmo,” he stated.
“The membership is engaged on that. Inside discussions are going down and I can’t say rather more right here in public, however we are going to repair that.”
Olmo is in a troublesome spot however his camp are reportedly assured that the state of affairs will probably be resolved and the participant will probably be registered for the second half of the season. Nevertheless, if the worst-case situation performs out, Catalan media have stated that Olmo has a clause in his contract which can permit him to depart Barcelona totally free within the January switch window.
Thus, there is a chance that Olmo will play his final sport for the membership once they tackle Atletico Madrid this Saturday.
The Spaniard was sidelined for a month with a muscle damage within the autumn however has performed 14 instances for his new membership in all competitions, recording seven aim contributions. He is Flick’s most well-liked possibility for the #10 position within the German’s 4-2-3-1 and his absence will doubtlessly be arduous felt if he cannot be registered for the second half of the season.
Olmo was signed to switch Ilkay Gundogan after he returned to Manchester Metropolis, however his arrival has thus far stunted the as soon as blossoming Fermin Lopez, who got here on robust through the first half of 2024 for each membership and nation. He is a pure substitute for Olmo, however we may additionally see Pedri carry out a extra superior position with both Gavi or Frenkie de Jong incomes extra minutes within the pivot.
