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The financially fragile FC Barcelona has once again had to swallow a bitter pill. The Catalan club saw its expenditure ceiling, including salaries, reduced again on Thursday by the Spanish football league in the context of the Financial Fair Play.
The previous limit was 649 million euros. La Liga, which strictly controls club spending on salaries and transfers, has now imposed a cap of 270 million euros. Expenses that fall under the La Liga ceiling are salaries of players and staff, transfer depreciations, agent fees, bonuses and the like.
The current expenditure level of Barça, which will host Antwerp next Tuesday on the first matchday of the group stage in the Champions League, fluctuates around 400 million euros, according to Spanish media. Should it exceed the imposed limit, it would only be allowed to use 50 percent of revenues to strengthen the team until it gets back on track.
Transfers in winter mercato in jeopardy
The current situation most likely makes acquisitions during the winter mercato impossible. In any case, further savings will be essential if the club is to sign new players next summer.
The Blaugrana said goodbye to Spaniards Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba and Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé last summer. German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen extended his contract until 2028 and agreed to be paid part of his salary later. That move allowed the Catalans to take over the Portuguese Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix on loan.
