Barcelona’s recent financial struggles have once again come back to haunt them, this time resulting in the absence of Dani Olmo for the LaLiga clash against Athletic Club. Despite the club’s efforts to register Olmo in time for the fixture, they have been unsuccessful due to exceeding their league-imposed annual spending limit. This limit, a commonality among Spanish clubs, is calculated based on a team’s revenue minus non-sporting outgoings and debt repayments. As a consequence, Barcelona is now faced with the task of reducing the wage bill and increasing revenue in order to register new additions like Olmo.
Transfers and Outgoings To Ensure Olmo’s Availability
In an attempt to make Dani Olmo available for coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona has been working on a series of outgoings. The departure of Ilkay Gündogan to Manchester City has already been confirmed, with other players like Clément Lenglet, Mikayil Faye, and Vitor Roque also nearing their exits. Lenglet’s contract extension until 2027, with his remaining salary spread over two years and a subsequent loan to Atlético Madrid, is part of the club’s efforts to meet the financial requirements for Olmo’s registration. Meanwhile, Faye is expected to join Rennes in a deal worth an initial €14m, and Roque will move to Real Betis on loan after failing to secure a place in Barcelona’s first team.
Changes in Squad Composition
Among the changes in Barcelona’s squad, midfielder Fermín López has made a return after a successful run with Spain at the European Championships and the Olympic Games this summer. However, the absence of Andreas Christensen due to an Achilles problem leaves a gap in the team, with Flick acknowledging the player’s inability to contribute at the moment. Additionally, long-term absentees like Ronald Araújo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati further exacerbate Barcelona’s squad challenges for the upcoming fixtures.
As Barcelona navigates through a challenging financial landscape and strives to maintain competitive prowess on the field, the absence of Dani Olmo serves as a stark reminder of the club’s current predicament. Despite the talent and potential Olmo brings to the team, financial constraints have forced Barcelona to make difficult decisions regarding player registrations and squad compositions. As the season progresses, Barcelona will need to find a balance between financial prudence and on-field performance in order to achieve success in both realms.
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