Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has confirmed that FC Barcelona are not yet compliant with the league’s financial 1:1 rule—a regulatory requirement crucial for registering new players.
This could present a major obstacle to the club’s summer transfer plans.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Esade Campus in Madrid, Tebas addressed the uncertainty surrounding Barcelona’s registration of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia and their pursuit of Athletic Club forward Nico Williams.
Tebas made it clear that Barcelona’s ability to bring in new players will depend heavily on outgoing transfers and improved financial stability.
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“One thing is to make the signing of Joan Garcia official and another, to register him. They have to make movements and see which players they are going to decide… I hear so much… I don’t know what is true of what is written. Barcelona is not in the 1:1 rule. I think the other day they announced the payment of Joan Garcia’s clause, but I don’t know if they have already done it, I don’t understand much… Barca has to do things to be able to register him, not many, but they have to do things and they already know what they are, I’m not going to say them, but we don’t even have dates, we’ll see.”
Barcelona recently triggered Garcia’s €25 million release clause following a successful domestic season, having captured the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España under manager Hansi Flick. The club is also reportedly close to a long-term agreement with Nico Williams, whose release clause stands at €62 million.
However, the Catalans’ intention to pay in installments has raised tensions with Athletic Club.
Tebas didn’t hold back when asked about the speculation surrounding Williams: “I don’t know, but in the end you hear so many [names]: Williams, the other one, the one with the motorcycle… First of all, that what has to be registered is true, which I don’t know. But they don’t yet meet the requirements to sign freely, they can’t sign yet under the 1:1 rule. If they want Nico, they will have to sell and adjust their accounts a lot.”
With questions looming over the futures of players such as Ronald Araujo and Fermin Lopez—who has drawn interest from Bayern Munich—Barcelona could be forced into difficult decisions to realign with league financial regulations before they can execute their ambitious transfer plans.
