FC Barcelona have activated their second economic lever, handing them a cash injection of upwards of 300m euros (£254m).
The Spanish club have been taking measures to remain financially strong this summer, by selling off parts of future revenue in return for immediate investment with a company called Sixth Street.
And, in a statement, the Camp Nou outfit revealed that their second sale means that the company will now receive 25% of Barcelona’s La Liga TV rights for the next 25 years.
“FC Barcelona today announced an additional investment from Sixth Street, a strategic investment firm with significant experience in global sports and media, which follows the firm’s previously announced acquisition of 10% of the Club’s LaLiga TV rights”, they wrote.
“With this second transaction, FC Barcelona has sold an additional 15% of the Club’s LaLiga TV rights. In total, Sixth Street will receive 25% of the Club’s LaLiga TV rights for the next 25 years.”
FC Barcelona and @SixthStreetNews reach agreement for the acquisition of an additional 15% share of the Club’s LaLiga broadcasting rights
MORE INFO 🔗 https://t.co/PUwYrMUEh9 pic.twitter.com/WwDW4eX8mX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 22, 2022
Spending to follow?
Despite seemingly operating on a shoestring budget, Barca have already spent £140m on three players in 2021, recruiting a further 3 on free transfers.
And the spending seems unlikely to stop despite the arrivals of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski this summer, with the club set to fight it out once more with Chelsea, this time for defender Jules Kounde.
It seems that on this occasion, however, it may be a step too far, with journalists in both Spain and England suggesting that Chelsea are growing in confidence over a deal for the Frenchman.
Chelsea now believe they’ve won the race for Jules Kounde. Barca still haven’t formally bid & accept they can’t match #CFC’s offer. Sevilla & Chelsea have an agreement with only minor points being finalised. Personal terms to Kounde preferable to what Barcelona offered, too.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 22, 2022
It is believed that Barcelona have a list of alternatives to the defender, while they are also intent on signing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva this summer.