Barcelona need to generate €50 million on top of VIP seats deal to return to 1:1 rule | OneFootball

The FC Barcelona board of directors met on Thursday at the club’s facilities to review the football season, celebrate the recent contract renewals of Hansi Flick, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha, and assess the progress of the Spotify Camp Nou renovations.

Crucially, they also discussed the club’s financial situation and the possibility of returning to La Liga’s 1:1 spending rule this summer.

Regaining the 1:1 rule for the transfer market opening on 1 July is currently the main focus of the club’s financial planning.

Barcelona might need additional €50 million revenue

And, according to Ferran Correas of SPORT, Barcelona will probably have to complete at least one deal before the end of the current season worth approximately €50 million to return to the 1:1 rule. This could involve the transfer of a player or revenue from another source.

Barcelona briefly reached that status in January following the sale of 475 future VIP seats at the new Spotify Camp Nou to two companies for €100 million over a 30-year period.

That operation allowed Barça to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, although only after disputes with La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation, ultimately requiring intervention from Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD).

Working towards returning to the 1:1 rule. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, in March, Barça lost their 1:1 eligibility again. The club’s current auditors, Crowe Spain, decided not to recognise the €100 million from the VIP seat deal as income for the current season.

The auditors’ decision was provisional though and they would approve the inclusion of the €100 million in this season’s accounts if the 475 VIP seats are completed by 30 June.

As per recent reports, construction company Limak has completed the same, putting Barça on track. However, SPORT claims that the VIP seat revenue alone may not be enough to reach the 1:1 threshold.

As such, Barcelona are reviewing the financial situation closely and might need to generate an additional €50 million one way or another before June 30 to be back to the 1:1 rule.

Operating under the 1:1 rule is essential for sporting director Deco to strengthen the areas Hansi Flick has prioritised – a left-winger and a new goalkeeper.