How Barca are planning to raise €100m for Haaland
Robin Bairner
- 26 Jan 2022 15:23 GMT
- 3 min read
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland may not be on the move during the January window, but he continues to dominate football transfer news.
Haaland is the hottest young prospect in world football, having become a prolific scorer for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
With a release clause that comes into force this summer, it seems inevitable he will be on his way, particularly after a public war of words with Dortmund, who he accused of trying to rush him into a decision over his future.
Related articles
Real Madrid have been seen as the frontrunners to sign Haaland, yet they suddenly face competition from Barcelona.
Although the Catalans’ dreadful financial position is well established, they are hoping to raise the €100 million that would allow them to sign the Norway international hitman, according to a report from Goal.
How Barcelona can raise transfer funds
It is reported that a large sum of money could be freed up by selling media production company Barca Studios – with up to 49% possibly up for sale.
Crucially, though, this deal could hinge on Barcelona recovering their players’ image rights, which is a fight that the club are presently involved in. As things stand, the players own their own image rights, which means that any buyer for Barca Media could not make any audio-visual products with individual players.
Furthermore, the wage bill will still need to be cut. Goal reports that it stands at around €400m per year, which is more than three times their current cap.
Barcelona’s wage cap will shoot up next season, but to nothing like the degree required to facilitate a big signing like Haaland, who will command a wage well in excess of €20m annually.
Ousmane Dembele is set to exit, though, which could offer some valuable room, but more leading stars will need to be sacrificed if an unlikely transfer for Haaland has the chance of coming to fruition.
