Barcelona yet to register new signings before La Liga opener - BBC 9/8/22
By Simon Stone
Barcelona are still to register any new players before this
weekend's La Liga opener with Rayo Vallecano.
Barca have been wrestling with severe financial issues,
which need to be addressed to comply with La Liga's strict financial
regulations.
In effect that has meant the Catalan giants have sold off
huge amounts of their future income in order to comply and register new
players.
That includes striker Robert Lewandowski and forward
Raphinha.
As well as Poland international Lewandowski from Bayern
Munich and Brazilian Raphinha from Leeds, the club have also signed defenders
Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen and midfielder Franck Kessie.
However, Barcelona are still to satisfy La Liga and are now
working on activating what is being referred to as a fourth 'financial lever',
a significant stake in their Barca Studios commercial arm, in order to comply.
In addition, long-serving defender Gerard Pique has taken a
pay cut.
La Liga believe these changes will allow Barcelona to start
registering new players, although there is a feeling at the league this may be
done on an individual basis rather than all at once.
Barcelona's financial strife is one of the reasons for the
uncertainty over the future of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Manchester United are keen to sign De Jong, with Chelsea
also expressing an interest.
However, De Jong is owed millions in deferred payments from
a restructuring of his Barcelona contract, which has come into force this
season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists the club want to
the Netherlands international to stay.
"Frenkie de Jong is a Barcelona player of great quality
and we want him to stay," Laporta told TV3.
"With him and his team-mates, we have a very powerful
midfield.
"He has offers, but we want him to stay and he wants to
stay too."
Barcelona are also trying to move on a number of players,
including defender Samuel Umtiti and forward Martin Braithwaite, who was booed
before Sunday's pre-season game against Pumas at the Nou Camp.
"They have understood that the best thing is to go play
for another team," said Laporta.
"Their contracts have always been respected, but the
time has come when they have to take a step forward. This week they have to fix
both of them."