Barcelona will sign players with 'special release clause' this summer

Tom Hancock

Updated: 27 Apr 2023 21:33 BST
3 min read

Barcelona could insert a unique clause into the contracts of new signings this summer, allowing them to leave on loan if the club are not able to register them.

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It’s a problem which has plagued Barca in recent transfer windows, as the Catalan giants continue to tackle their well-documented financial crisis.

As such, as things stand, the likes of Ronald Araujo and Gavi are still on youth contracts at the Camp Nou – with La Liga’s strict salary cap rules preventing Barca from registering them as first-team players.

According to Spanish daily El Mundo, the proposed clause would warn any player joining Barcelona that there is a risk that they may not be registered – and that in that event, they can go out on loan to a club of their choice.

However, the report adds that Barca would still have to honour the salary originally agreed with any player in that situation if no club was willing to take them on loan and foot the bill.

Last summer, there was speculation that Barca would not be able to register marquee arrival Robert Lewandowski – although those fears never came to pass.

© ProShots - Gavi is still playing on a youth contract, despite signing a new contract back in September

A tough summer ahead?

It rather goes without saying that Barcelona – who, under Xavi, are cruising towards their first La Liga title since 2018/19 – will want to strengthen their squad this summer.

But the five-time European champions could find it tough going in the transfer market – especially since Spanish football bosses tightened rules surround the so-called ‘economic levers’ which Barca have previously used to raise funds quickly.

That said, earlier this week, Barca did secure almost €1.5bn to allow them to push on with their stadium redevelopment – a project which will see them relocate to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for next season.