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It seems FC Barcelona may be feeling the harsh consequences of its actions this summer. After signing a multitude of players in recent months for outrageous transfer fees while already having several players tied to absurd contracts, reports from Spain claim the club may not be able to register two of its biggest signings before the season and could lose them for free as a result.
Christensen and Kessie could leave Barcelona for free if they are not registered before Saturday, sources have confirmed to @samuelmarsden and @moillorens pic.twitter.com/LNI0V8Tw2K
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 10, 2022
According to reports from Sam Marsden of ESPN, Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen could be allowed to leave for free if they are not registered by the club before their first game in LaLiga. This would be an unprecedented failure by a club steeped in history and famous for being “more than a club.”
Clause in Kessie & Christensen's contracts would allow them to leave Barça for free if not registered before opening fixture. That doesn't mean they will fwiw (& unlikely it comes to that), but the clause exists. With @moillorens https://t.co/ZPO0QSG4xu
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) August 10, 2022
Kessié signed from AC Milan earlier this summer and Christensen joined the Blaugrana from Chelsea, with the pair both being signed on free transfers. In addition, new signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Koundé have not been registered along with the new contracts for Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembélé.
Lewandowski, Raphinha & Kounde have yet to be registered by Barcelona for Saturday's game against Rayo.
Christensen & Kessie can leave for free if they aren't registered this week.Dembele & Sergi Roberto were registered last year but aren't now as they signed new deals. https://t.co/qrefzhUfMz
— Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) August 10, 2022
The club appears to be hopeful and optimistic all seven players will be added before the deadline at the end of the month, but that may include some negotiations with some players' agents.
Gerard Piqué will take a pay cut and is the first of the four players renewed in 2020 to take this decision. He will sign a contract until 2024.
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 8, 2022
In a desperate attempt to clear up some space for new players, Barcelona has resorted to some interesting negotiation tactics. Initially, the club asked several players, including Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique, to take a pay cut to help the club out. However, some did not oblige. Namely, Frenkie de Jong.
Frenkie de Jong now being abused by Barcelona fans upon entering the club's training facilities, for the crime of wanting his employment contract honoured. Those orchestrated links against him are having the desired impact. Modern football is in the gutter. https://t.co/ZfzfGJFIIr
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) August 10, 2022
There have been endless rumors linking the young midfielder away from the Spotify Camp Nou, but it seems de Jong is intent on getting paid, which is hard to hold against him, especially when he is reportedly owed around $17 million by the club.
This stunning mismanagement has put Barça in a position where it may genuinely not be able to register the players it signed this summer, as well as a few more. It is truly astonishing a club with as famed of an academy as La Masia would ignore the talent coming out such as Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi and Riqui Puig and instead put itself in one of the worst financial situations of any club in the history of soccer by signing new players.
