There are six games left for Barça, the current League champion, to hand over the title to Real Madrid and finish the season blank. With nothing to win, Xavi’s men have no choice but to try to achieve a minimum objective: to finish second to ensure participation in the Spanish Super Cup next year. It is a goal that is not very exciting for Barcelona fans. But nothing trivial for a club immersed in a constant economic crisis. Going to Arabia means an income of six million. Another million if Barça reaches the final and two more if they lift the title.
But there is life beyond the Super Cup. With Xavi already confirmed as coach for next season, the focus now falls on the players. The final casting begins. The one that will serve to certify who is untouchable and who is not. And the last call for loan players like João Félix and Cancelo to show that they can continue as Blaugrana. “The diagnosis is pretty much done. But what is done now will also be taken into account,” warned Xavi.
For all these reasons, the Blaugrana team will seek to win the remaining six games, starting with today’s match in Montjuïc against Rubén ‘Pipo’ Baraja’s Valencia. Eighth in the table, the Valencian team continues immersed in its dream of reaching continental positions to return to Europe more than four years later. The casting will close with a visit to Montilivi to play against Girona, hosting Real Sociedad, traveling to the home of already relegated Almería, hosting Rayo Vallecano and closing the League at the Sánchez Pizjuán against Sevilla. “We will decide based on performance. Regardless of whether they are young or veterans,” warned Xavi, who has his list of non-transferable players such as De Jong, Araújo or the youngsters Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Gavi or Pedri. Also on that list is Sergi Roberto, whose contract ends on June 30. “I hope he continues,” said Xavi of the captain.
In the transfer market, the priority will once again be the midfielder. Last year Xavi met with Zubimendi. Also with Bernardo Silva. “We were not in the 1-1 rule,” said Xavi, remembering the market rule that indicates that the same amount can be invested in transfers as is achieved with sales. Despite the precedent, Xavi continues to show blind confidence in President Laporta. On the other hand, he does not trust Vitor Roque as much, the Brazilian striker for whom the club, despite financial difficulties, paid 30 million fixed and another 31 million in variables. Roque closes the unprecedented season in the Champions League, with 276 minutes in the League and another 34 in the Cup. “We will sit down to agree on what is best for each player,” said Xavi, who understands everything. It is no secret that it would be very good for the club to save the three million gross that Roque earns. But for now the striker’s intention, with a contract until the 2030-2031 season and a clause of 500 million, is to continue playing for Blaugrana.
LaLiga will be very aware of the possible income and sales. Last week the president and his right-hand man, Alejandro Echevarría, met with the president of the employers’ association, Javier Tebas. The tension of just a year ago is history today. Although Montjuïc has not generated the expected income, LaLiga believes that Barça will be able to meet the budget with the income of 859 million euros and profits of 11 million and that it will be able to operate normally if it manages to deposit the 100 million pending from Libero through the Barça Media lever. 40 are from the last year and 60 from the present. New allies are being sought in Dubai and the United States for this lever. This time, after Libero’s disappointment, signing will not be enough.
At the same time, Barça continues to renegotiate the contract with Nike, which has clothed Barça since 1998. According to club sources, the new agreement would mean going from the current 64 million to 100 million. It all adds up.