Barcelona Femeni could save summer for men’s team with Nike sponsorship deal | OneFootball

Barcelona are yet to resolve their salary limit issues that would allow them to sign without restrictions. Their hopes of doing so looks to be in part predicated on a new deal with Nike coming to fruition.

The Blaugrana currently have a deal with Nike until 2028, but Barcelona have been trying to secure a fresh deal with a signing bonus that could range between €100-150m. That would aid their hopes of improving matters, with La Liga set to subtract €60m from their €200m salary limit [as of last January] that has not been paid for the sale of Barca Vision, which was due to be paid by the start of the month. Relevo estimate that the current cost of their total wage bill is around €551m.

If the Blaugrana do get the sponsorship deal over the line though, a key part of the equation is Barca Femeni. While clearly the men’s team are also a major part of the attraction, Nike have been increasing their investment in sponsoring female athletes, while giving the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo less exposure globally, albeit increasing that of Jude Bellingham. The chance to continue sponsoring Barcelona and Spain talents Salma Paralluelo and perhaps the biggest name in the women’s game currently Alexia Putellas was an opportunity Nike were keen not to miss out on.

Over the last few years Barcelona’s women’s side has contrasted Barcelona’s starkly, continuing to destroy the opposition around them despite losing their coach and a number of star players. Putellas, who was coming back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear this season, could not even get in the team, while Paralluelo looks set to be at the top of the game for the best part of the next decade if all goes well.