Barcelona to face 'much worse' financial problems if Nike deal doesn't go through – delay unexplained

Barcelona, ​​or perhaps more precisely its president Joan Laporta, was very strong in his assertion that they were in a position to make great signings this summer. Even the president of the League, Javier Tebas, assured that they were not that far from their salary limit, but with a week to go in the transfer market, they once again face serious problems to register the players

The main reason is the new Nike sponsorship business that Barcelona have been negotiated for months. The Blaugrana have a contract until 2028 with the American brand, but have been in talks for a new 10-year deal with a €100m signing bonus and an improvement in the terms. Part of the reason for their previous confidence is that they will be on the point of the 1:1 expense ratio and solve most of their problems. By mid-July, it looked like the deal was almost done, hence the public assurance.

Flick: “Olmo is ready to play. We hope he will be with us tomorrow.”

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 23, 2024

However Relief say that since then, there has been no movement or explanation for the delay. Talks have not progressed, despite at one point being reported as “imminent”. However, without the deal, the same source says that Barcelona will face financial problems “much worse” than before, and although there are still mechanisms to get out of a hole in the short term, they will be painful.

Barcelona and Laporta had reasoned that there is no way that Nike would be publicly seen as responsible for Barcelona entering serious money problems, which seemed reasonable to them. Although at Nike, it is clear that only one part is in a hurry to close the deal, and hence the lack of movement.

If they got him over the line, it wouldn't allow them to make big signings, but it would allow them to sign Dani Olmo, and maybe look at another cheaper deal, if there were still sales. Without it, however, it is not clear what the consequences are, but the only words used are “wash”, “hard blow” and “serious problems”.