Barça continues to struggle with a delicate financial situation. In recent seasons, the management has had to perform genuine economic juggling. The famous "levers" have been Laporta's resource to keep the team competitive.
Messi's departure was the biggest blow in sports, but not the only sacrifice. Assets like Barça Studios have also been sold to register new players. All this has bought time, but the reality remains complicated.
Barça Struggles to Compete with Real Madrid
While solutions are being sought at Camp Nou, the situation in the capital is very different, as Florentino Pérez continues to manage the accounts with precision. Real Madrid has made multi-billion dollar investments in recent years. This summer has been a real bomb with Kylian Mbappé's transfer marking a turning point.
For some time, Barça has known that they can't compete on equal terms, where the Frenchman's operation has been the definitive blow. For months it was said that Kylian Mbappé would arrive at Santiago Bernabéu as a free agent. The official information indicated that there would be no transfer, but now a fact has come to light that has left everyone stunned.
A Surprise of Over 100M
Although a cost-free signing was discussed, the reality is different, as Mbappé has cost much more than expected. At Barça, they have already done the math and know that the operation has been much more expensive, where Real Madrid had to make an unexpected outlay. The figures have completely changed the narrative of the forward's arrival in the Spanish League.
The big surprise has been the signing bonus that Kylian Mbappé received, in which Madrid paid 117M euros. This amount dismantles the idea that he arrived for free from PSG. At Barça, they watch in amazement how Florentino Pérez has managed to close this operation without great difficulties.
A Reflection of the Economic Distance Between Barça and Madrid
This news has caused more frustration in Barça's management. Not only have they lost one of their great aspirations, but the gap with their main rival continues to grow.
Barça needs to balance the books before considering signings of this magnitude. Meanwhile, Madrid continues to strengthen without apparent limitations. Joan Laporta knows that patience will be key, but the economic reality weighs more than ever at Camp Nou.
At Barça, they are aware that the situation will not change overnight. Deco is clear that they must bet on more strategic and economically sustainable signings. There is no room for big operations.