FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona is in free fall. That was also proven by the 3-0 defeat at Benfica Lisbon. Is there now a billion-dollar injection?
The Catalans are in a sporty descent. Both appearances in the Champions League were lost 3-0. With Malmö FF only one club is worse than the proud Barcelona. Things are only marginally better in the Spanish championship, in which the Catalans are currently in sixth place.
And above all, the club's enormous mountain of debt hovers. The association has amassed more than 1.35 billion euros in liabilities. Therefore, not only could the contract with superstar Lionel Messi not be extended, but also not invested in the squad. Coach Ronald Koeman is taking the path of youth, relying on ÖFB legionnaire Yusuf Demir, among others, but the Barca talents need time. Time that the 58-year-old Dutchman does not have.
The solution for Barcelona could now be a dubious offer from the Arab region. As “8tv” reports, an unnamed company from Dubai is said to be ready to pump 1.5 billion euros into the association – in the form of a loan.
That would have paid off Barca debt. The company would give the Catalans a two-year grace period that could be extended to twelve years. The interest rates charged are also very low. In any case, the Catalans would receive the money immediately.
But one big question mark remains: What do the donors ask for in return?
In addition, it is unclear whether the proud club would even accept the offer. In August, club president Joan Laporta had struggled against the billion dollar deal between the Spanish league and the Luxembourg financial investor “CVC”. The deal would have brought Barcelona over € 200million, and the league would have allowed the Catalans to register club icon Lionel Messi's contract. In return, Barcelona – like all other clubs in the top two leagues – would have had to cede 10.95 percent of TV revenues and commit to the investor for 50 years.
