"We have 45 million euros to spend on players" -Barcelona's Economic Vice-Pesident

FC Barcelona’s economic vice-president, Javier Faus, has finally shed some light on what kind of summer the club is likely to have – at least in terms of transfers. Speaking at a press conference, Faus confirmed that the club has 45 million euros to play with over the summer, adding that the figure could grow depending on any potential transfer fees received into the club from player sales or if the club felt such extra investment would be worthwhile for a certain player.


Since arriving alongside new president Sandro Rosell last summer, Faus has insisted that the club has been existing above and beyond its financial means in recent years, with the new board looking to balance the books as soon as possible whilst still keeping the team competitive.

“Barca can not continue losing money. You have to keep investing in the first team, but we must also reduce the debt by paying 31 million a year to banks and other creditors. Any measure that is not on that line is unsustainable.” said Faus, who also explained that the club is determined to bring itself firmly within any future UEFA ‘financial fair play regulation. “We want to decide our own future and in doing so we have to reduce the debt to an acceptable level.”

With the club looking to make savings where it can the board has recently announced that it is to cease its support for many of Barca’s non-professional sporting subsidiaries, with many others set to lose large amounts of funding. But Faus is certain that such sacrifices must be made.

“We must continue working hard to reduce the debt and this is undeniable. The sensibility of FC Barcelona is to do what is needed in each moment. If we don’t, then the club would be in the hands of the banks or the creditors.” said Faus, adding that the club has recently “gone from losing 83 million (euros) to losing only 21 million.“ A figure he recognised was provisional until the club receives its full financial audit at the end of this month.

Moving onto the financial rewards the club has reaped this past year, Faus was surprisingly downbeat although he did foresee a strong financial future for the club, saying “With winning the Champions League, we won four million fewer benefits than we had budgeted for, 34 million instead of the 38 planned, but it is the best investment you can make. Barça has never such recognition as a worldwide brand as now.”