Barcelona has announced an agreement with Sevilla over the transfer of France defender Jules Koundé.
All that remains for Koundé to officially join the Blaugrana is a medical and his contract being signed.
The 23-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, but Barcelona has managed to steal in at the last instant and seal a deal for one of Europe’s most highly rated young defenders.
Koundé’s arrival, reportedly for around €55 million, continues a busy summer for Barcelona, which has also signed Pablo Torre, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
But hold on. Isn’t Barcelona supposed to be, you know, massively in debt? Well, the answer is yes! So how can they pull these many signings off?
Agreement in principle with Sevilla for the transfer of @jkeey4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 28, 2022
Barcelona pulling the ‘levers’
Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann perhaps put it best this month after Barca had signed Lewandowski from his club.
“It is the only club in the world that have no money, but then buy all the players they want,” Nagelsmann said. “I don’t know how they do it. It’s a bit strange, a bit crazy.”
There is, however, a pretty simple explanation as to how Barcelona, which has over €1 billion in debts, can pay out so many high transfer fees.
Last month Barcelona’s members, who collectively own the club, voted to allow president Joan Laporta to activate what have become known as economic “levers,” essentially mortgaging the club’s future in exchange for a short-term injection of cash.
This summer, Barcelona has sold 25 percent of the club’s domestic TV rights for the next 25 years to American investment firm Sixth Street. Those sales have so far raised €582 million, enough to comfortably cover the club’s summer spending.
The club also has plans to sell 49.9% of its merchandising operation in the near future.
It is a clear risk for Barcelona but one the club felt was worth it after a season without any trophies. That will put even more pressure on the new signings, as well as the players still there, to deliver in 2022-23.
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