Barcelona has pressed further into its financial flex with the activation of the fourth lever, a move that hinges on selling 24.5 percent of Barça Studios to Orpheus Media, a company steered by James Roures. The deal is valued at 100 million euros, a figure that could unlock the register for at least a portion of the squad ahead of their opening league match against Rayo Vallecano this weekend at Camp Nou. This strategic step marks a critical milestone in aligning the club’s creative and digital ambitions with its on-pitch priorities. [Citation: Barcelona club communications]
The timing of this development comes on the heels of the agreement announced with Socios.com on July 29, a pact designed to accelerate Barça’s NFT initiatives and Web3 dimension as part of a broader digital strategy. The association is set to accelerate the club’s ongoing evolution in digital ownership, fan engagement, and monetization models built around blockchain-based collectibles and experiences. [Citation: Barça press release]
Club executives and football operations staff are racing against the clock to finalize the registrations for the five new signings and the two renewals that were agreed during the summer window. News arrived late and with positive implications for Xavi, who now has more options to field a competitive lineup for Saturday’s fixture against Rayo Vallecano. The late breakthrough has implications beyond a single match, signaling the club’s intent to balance competitive needs with the financial flexibility afforded by the new lever and external partnerships. [Citation: Barça communications]
Nevertheless, Barça could still face a need for additional funds to complete the registration of seven players who remain on the waiting list. The club is exploring further cost management measures, including potential salary adjustments for several senior figures, in particular Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, and Gerard Piqué, to ensure compliance with the league’s squad registration rules and wage-bill constraints. [Citation: Barça financial notes]