In recent years, FC Barcelona has been exploring various avenues to strengthen its financial situation, with one of the potential strategic partners being Saudi Arabia. This relationship can develop through different fronts, from the sale of players to commercial collaborations, each with its own possibilities and challenges.
Sale of players
The sale of players to Saudi clubs is one of the ways in which Barcelona could obtain significant revenue. Although this avenue seems unlikely, there are certain player profiles that have sparked the interest of teams in the Saudi Pro League.
Names like Ansu Fati and Clément Lenglet have been mentioned in this context. Additionally, according to the sports newspaper SPORT, interest has been shown in key players like Ronald Araújo, Jules Koundé, Raphinha, and Andreas Christensen. However, the acceptance by the players to move to the Saudi league is a crucial factor.
Even high-profile names like Marc-André ter Stegen and Robert Lewandowski have been rumored. The problem is that most players who have raised interest in the Arab country have been reluctant to accept the offer.
Sponsorships and commercial collaborations
Beyond the sale of players, there are other methods in which Saudi Arabia can inject money into FC Barcelona. Several Saudi companies have expressed interest in linking with the club in some way. These commercial relationships can be extremely lucrative, considering the magnitude of Saudi investment in various sports sectors worldwide.
The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, has already made trips to both Saudi Arabia and Qatar, although the exact contents of these trips have not been detailed. These meetings could have been the start of negotiations for future collaborations.
Soccer collaboration agreements
Another aspect that has been considered is the possibility of establishing soccer collaboration agreements with Saudi clubs. These can include talent exchanges, joint training sessions, and friendly matches, in addition to financially beneficial agreements for Barça.
Saudi interest in soccer is not a new phenomenon. In its attempt to increase the credibility and visibility of its league and its country on the global sports stage, Saudi Arabia has made massive investments in players, coaches, and clubs.
For FC Barcelona, partnering with Saudi entities presents a golden opportunity to alleviate its financial tensions and ensure a steady flow of income. However, these partnerships must be handled carefully, ensuring that the club's values and tradition are not compromised.