Barcelona Threatened To Lose Two New Recruits With Free Transfer Status

Franck Kessie (Instagram @franckkessie)

JAKARTA - Barcelona are in danger of losing two of their summer signings on free transfers if they are not registered with the league authorities before this weekend.

According to ESPN, Thursday, the two names who could walk away for free are Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.

That happens if they have not been registered before Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano in the first week of the Spanish La Liga season 2022/2023 at Camp Nou on Sunday, August 14 nearest.

The same report claims that there is a clause in Christensen and Kessie's contracts that allows them to leave for free if they are not registered before this weekend's game.

However, a source says that there is "no indication" at all that this will happen. The reason is, Club President Joan Laporta insists the Blaugrana will register all their new players on time.

Both players joined Barcelona on free transfers earlier this summer. Christensen joined after his Chelsea contract expired, while Kessie arrived after his previous contract at AC Milan expired.

Barcelona have so far not registered any of their new players even though they only have three days left. They are given the condition that they can register the names of their new recruits if the financial books are balanced.

Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Jules Kunde, have the same fate as the two names above. In addition, Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele have just signed a new contract with the Blaugrana.

The Catalans have raised more than £506 million by selling 25 per cent of their domestic television rights over 25 years and 24.5 per cent of Barca Studios.

Unfortunately, that number is not enough for the club to register all new players and players who have just made contract extensions. A total of seven players must be registered.

To be able to register the names, Barcelona is also trying to activate their fourth 'economy lever'. This fourth lever includes the sale of shares of Barca Studios up to 49 percent.

The fourth economic lever will be combined with a pay cut for their veteran defender Gerard Pique. That became the only way out for Barcelona to be able to register their new players.