Barcelona’s Roque Conundrum: Early Arrival Sparks Salary Cap Dilemma

Barcelona has accelerated the arrival of 18-year-old Brazilian talent Vitor Roque by six months, aiming to kickstart his adaptation process and provide an alternative upfront. Roque’s seven-year contract comes with a transfer fee of €30 million plus €31 million in variables.

However, according to Cadena Cope, the club is bracing for challenges in the upcoming summer. The strategic move to register Roque by utilizing Gavi’s season-ending injury as a loophole will create a dilemma once Gavi returns next season.

To secure Roque’s registration, Barcelona must free up €20 million in salary cap space, a task that currently appears daunting. Unpaid dues of €40 million from the sale of Barca Studios pose a major hurdle in meeting the salary limit. President Joan Laporta and Treasurer Ferran Olive previously provided a bank guarantee in September, enabling new signings to be registered. However, if the expected funds do not materialize, they risk losing €12 million of their own money in July.

Adding to the financial strain is the impending renewal of Xavi Hernandez and his coaching staff, along with a new contract for Alejandro Balde. Gavi, earning €14 million gross per year, allows them to register Roque for the current six-month period, costing €12.2 million this season. However, this financial juggling act becomes more complex next year as Roque’s salary of €7.5 million gross pushes the total just under the crucial €20 million mark. Barcelona must navigate this financial challenge ahead of next season to re-register Roque.

While President Joan Laporta’s economic strategies facilitated Barcelona’s signings and developments last summer, the club’s current struggle to secure payments is taking a toll. The constant battle with the salary limit suggests that, despite potential master plans, player sales may become a necessity in the lead-up to the summer.