Crisis club Barcelona need half a BILLION Euros to avoid financial ruin, warns club’s economic president
BARCELONA need half a BILLION Euros to avoid slipping into financial ruin, according to the club's economic vice-president, Eduard Romeu.
The LaLiga giants have been in meltdown in recent seasons, largely due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and have regularly asked top-earning players to accept significant pay cuts.
Barca even allowed Lionel Messi to quit against his wishes in the summer of 2021 with the club no longer able to afford his wages of over £1million per week.
And now Romeu has revealed the full extent of the club's problems, insisting only €500m (£425m) "can save Barcelona" now.
Romeu told : "It is still critical, but the advantage compared to a year ago is that we know where we are and we have the problem detected.
"We know what the drama is.
READ MORE SPORT STORIES
"The number that does the most damage is that of the patrimonial imbalance.
"Negative funds of €500m.
"Some €150m (£128m) losses could be added to this course if we did nothing.
"I already said it one day, if someone wants to make me a man, give me €500m.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
"It is what we need to save Barca..."
Romeu went on to blame the poor running of the club from previous president Josep Bartomeu - insisting the club have inherited the financial problems from the former regime.
The club's economic vice-president added: "The situation is what it is. It comes from heredity.
"Of the things that have been done and have not been done well and of those that have not been done.
"If we talk about the Espai Barca (Nou Camp modernisation plan), which is essential, it will cause three years with less ordinary income, for example."
Barcelona announced their "Espai Barca" late last year, despite having only just announced a crippling £1.15bn debt.
Read More on The Sun
But club bosses hope the revolutionary new Nou Camp - now sponsored by Spotify in naming rights deal thought to be valued at around £250m - will help ease their financial worries in the future.
The plans also include a hotel, offices, bus parking and a pavilion featuring an ice rink.