Barcelona President Joan Laporta Foresees €170m Savings for Club in the Next Two Years

Barcelona has been grappling with financial difficulties over the past five years, but there is a glimmer of hope as they anticipate potential savings of €170m on their projected expenses.

President Joan Laporta is optimistic about the progress of the new Camp Nou construction, stating that things are going well for the project and that it may even come in under budget. This is a significant development considering the financial challenges the club has faced in recent years.

The members of Barcelona had previously approved a comprehensive €1.5b package for the Espai Barca redevelopment, encompassing a new basketball stadium and renovations to Camp Nou. The budget for the basketball court has already been reduced from €400m to €200m, and Laporta believes there is potential for further savings on the Camp Nou renovations.

“We are actively working to reduce the budget for the stadium and contingencies, and it’s already taking effect. We are on the verge of cutting the previously stated €1.1b budget. I believe we will reach €960m and maybe even €930m if everything continues to progress well,” Laporta revealed in an interview with MD.

However, Laporta also cautioned that challenging times lie ahead in the coming season as Barcelona transitions to the Estadi Lluis Companys, a stadium with half the capacity of Camp Nou.

“Next year won’t be easy. Moving to the Montjuic stadium has its challenges, although personally, I don’t consider it as bad as some perceive it to be,” Laporta added with a nuanced perspective.

If these projected savings materialize, it would be a welcome relief for Barcelona, as the club continues to grapple with mounting debt. Nevertheless, supporters will also expect the current board to maintain the necessary standards and not compromise the long-term sustainability of these venues, which are intended to serve the club for at least the next 50 years.