Barcelona`s financial statements for the 2024–25 season disclose a substantial debt of €159.1 million owed to various football clubs due to past transfer agreements. A significant portion, €140.6 million (approximately £122 million or $163 million), is due for repayment within the upcoming year. This indicates that despite recent improvements in revenue, the club continues to grapple with a considerable financial burden, illustrating that while on-field performance has stabilized, the legacy of extensive past spending still impacts their balance sheet.
Key Outstanding Debts for Incoming Transfers
Leading the list of creditors, Leeds United is still awaiting a payment of €41.9 million (around £36 million or $48 million) from Barcelona for the 2022 transfer of Raphinha. Bayern Munich is owed €20 million (approximately £17 million or $23 million) for Robert Lewandowski, and Sevilla is expecting €24.5 million (about £21 million or $28 million) for Jules Kounde, also acquired in 2022. Manchester City is still due €13.3 million (roughly £11 million or $15 million) for Ferran Torres, and Real Betis is owed €8 million for Emerson Royal.
Numerous other clubs across Europe, including Girona, Valencia, Sporting CP, and Rennes, also have smaller outstanding amounts, highlighting the extensive nature of Barcelona`s financial obligations.
Barcelona`s Own Receivables
Conversely, Barcelona`s report also indicates that the club is owed €64.1 million (approximately £55 million or $74 million) by other teams for outgoing transfers. Among these, Porto owes €6.7 million for Nico Gonzalez, Al-Ahli has an outstanding debt of €4.1 million for Franck Kessie, and Shakhtar Donetsk still needs to pay €3.1 million for Marlon. Smaller sums are also due from clubs such as Braga, Chelsea, and Real Betis.
Even if all these receivables are collected by the next year, Barcelona`s net debt from transfers would still stand at approximately €100 million (about £87 million or $116 million). This situation underscores how deeply contemporary football relies on deferred payment structures for transfers, which can exacerbate financial difficulties if not managed meticulously.
Financial Overview and Future Outlook
In the last financial year, Barcelona achieved a total revenue of €994 million (approximately £864 million or $1.1 billion) and a modest net profit of €2 million. However, expenditures reached €965 million (about £839 million or $1.12 billion), largely negating the revenue gains. The club`s management has scheduled a general assembly for October 19 to deliberate on the upcoming budget and future financial strategies. While certain financial metrics show improvement, the persistent debt figures clearly demonstrate that Barcelona`s path towards comprehensive financial stability remains an ongoing challenge.
