Barcelona are being tipped to take legal action over alleged failure to pay €40m (£35m) owed from the sale of a stake in the club’s digital audiovisual arm.
Barca have been forced to activate various economic “leverages” in recent years to register new players and renew contracts amid financial difficulties and limited spending power under La Liga’s strict financial rules.
Selling various assets and future income streams was a way to do this, although it seems that actually receiving the money was not entirely straightforward.
Spanish news agency EFE reported that Barca have decided to acquire 40 million euros from German investment company Libero in order to close a deal for 10% of Barca Vision.
The original deadline for the payment was in August, but it is believed to have been extended to December 31, 2023. Now that the revised date has passed and it appears that the payment has still not been made, it looks like Barca will launch legal action.
The Athletic reported in October that the libero wanted certain guarantees before being paid, which Barcelona would not accept. The knock-on effect of not receiving €40 million in August was that president Joan Laporta and other directors had to provide personal bank guarantees for La Liga to accept registration for loan signings Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix.
The same report noted concerns among club members and former executives that while the finances to renovate the Camp Nou and sell future revenues from La Liga’s TV rights concentrated on a tangible asset, those involving Barca Media and Barca Vision could be more of a bubble. less evidence of tangible assets and dealing with newer firms without traditional stock market experience.
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