Barcelona have had their salary cap reduced to €204million (£174.8m) by La Liga following the conclusion of the January transfer window.
The salary cap limit represents the maximum expenditure a club can make throughout the season, factoring in all transactions conducted during the winter. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the club’s plans for the upcoming transfer window.
On Tuesday, La Liga confirmed the salary caps for each club, with Barcelona experiencing a €66m reduction from the previous cap that was set in September 2023 — €270m (£231m).
The figure also represents a significant drop from the amount the Catalan side were restricted to spend last February — €648m (£555m).
In January, Barcelona’s only activity was the acquisition of Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense. That deal — worth €30million plus potential add-ons — was agreed last summer.
Barcelona were able to register Roque to play due to Gavi’s long-term absence. The 19-year-old’s recent anterior cruciate ligament injury, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season, opened a window to add a new signing in the winter.
Article 77 of La Liga’s financial regulations gives clubs flexibility in case a registered player suffers an injury that will keep them out for longer than four months. The affected club can register a replacement so long as their wages do not exceed 80 per cent of the injured player’s.
Barcelona’s real squad cost for 2023-24 — the total of salaries and transfer amortisations — is officially budgeted at €492m (£421m). As they have exceeded their level, La Liga rules say they must make cuts before signing any more players.
They have resorted to pulling several economic levers in recent years to stay afloat, despite significant cost-cutting efforts. Nonetheless, the club still boasts one of the highest wage bills in global football.
Barcelona have had to sell club TV rights and partially sell assets to try and keep debt under control and were again unable to register new signings before the start of this season, including the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu and Inigo Martinez.
Real Madrid continue to have the highest cap in the league at €727m (£623m) with Atletico Madrid second at €303m (£259m).
(David Ramos/Getty Images)
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