Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona have devised a plan to secure the registration of Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin, and Roony Bardghji before the transfer window closes
- Squad exits and salary deferrals this week have not yet created sufficient salary limit space to register the trio
- The club’s board intends to provide another financial guarantee to complete registrations, following a previous €7m guarantee
Ongoing Contract and Loan Activity
Barcelona are experiencing a tense conclusion to the transfer window, as other clubs monitor their squad closely for potential bargain acquisitions and Chelsea eye a move for Fermin Lopez. Despite the risk of losing players, Barcelona believe they are able to retain their desired squad members through careful financial planning.
This week brought a series of moves aimed at easing their salary cap situation: Inaki Pena renewed his contract while deferring wages to next season and departed on loan to Elche. Additionally, Jan Virgili joined RCD Mallorca in a €4m move, with Barcelona retaining a 50% sell-on clause as part of the deal. There is also an agreement to terminate the final year of Oriol Romeu’s contract, and reports indicate that Hector Fort could also be loaned out before the window shuts.
🚨Barcelona faces financial challenges, hindering the registration of new players within La Liga's salary cap despite recent sales. To address this, the club will execute a small guarantee for registering Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin, and Roony Bardg… https://t.co/Pr4urmLfIK pic.twitter.com/8gpJXloTxt
— Ajet Football (@AjetFootball) August 29, 2025
Salary Cap Shortfall and Registration Challenges
Despite these outgoing transfers and contract adjustments, their impact on the salary budget is limited. Because Barcelona are operating above their salary limit, La Liga rules only allow the club to allocate 60% of any money earned or saved through these deals towards new player registrations. Thus, these moves have not been sufficient to permit the registration of Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin, and Roony Bardghji, all of whom have missed Barcelona’s opening two fixtures.
| Player | Situation |
|---|---|
| Wojciech Szczesny | Registration pending |
| Gerard Martin | Registration pending |
| Roony Bardghji | Registration pending |
| Inaki Pena | Wage deferral; loan to Elche |
| Jan Virgili | Transfer to Mallorca (€4m, 50% sell-on clause retained) |
| Oriol Romeu | Agreement to rescind contract |
| Hector Fort | Potential loan |
Board Steps in with Fresh Financial Guarantee
To resolve the shortfall, the Barcelona board plan to issue a new guarantee to ensure the club can register all outstanding players before the window closes. This follows their earlier €7m guarantee, which enabled the registrations of Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia. Reports from Jijantes indicate that the next guarantee required will be smaller, but it is crucial to providing manager Hansi Flick with a fully registered squad.
Hansi Flick has already lost key defender Inigo Martinez due to the ongoing salary limit complications and has made clear his wish to avoid further losses from his squad as Barcelona navigate these critical final days of the transfer window.
