Barcelona activate ANOTHER lever but still can't afford new players

Tom Weber

• Updated: 7 Apr 2023 14:54 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have activated another one of their vaunted levers, but this new financing deal likely won't aid their pursuit of Lionel Messi and company.

Club president Joan Laporta has been desperately trying to fix the Blaugrana's miserable economic situation ever since his appointment. Indeed, over the past year or so, Barcelona have activated several 'levers' to attract investment and ease their financial concerns, but some issues still loom large.

With the jury still out on the recent match-fixing allegations that could yet see the club hit with a hefty fine - if not worse - and with Barcelona still working hard behind the scenes to comply with LaLiga's Financial Fair Play regulations next season, there are some pressing problems that need to be resolved in the near future.

READ: Barcelona make REQUEST to complete Messi mega-transfer

Recent reports out of Spain suggest that the Catalans are set to meet with LaLiga chiefs next week to discuss the feasibility of a Messi return, and club executives have also drawn up a financial plan that includes "a reduction in spending, with salary cuts and some transfers among other planned actions" to be presented at said conference.

Go-ahead for Espai Barca

In positive news, Barcelona have been given the green light to commence their Espai Barca project which will see the Camp Nou and adjacent facilities comprehensively renovated.

A €1.5 billion deal was struck with banking giants Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to fund the endeavour. Despite the costs of the project running higher than initially expected, "the board of directors is satisfied [with the financing deal] because it has achieved a general interest rate of 6%," according to SPORT.

READ: Arteta's 'leading role' promise to tempt Real Madrid star to spurn Barcelona

As part of the agreement, Barcelona have given themselves enough breathing space for the project in question with the final repayment scheduled for 2047. It will ultimately, however, do little to improve their chances of signing new players.