Barcelona's annual spending limit has been further reduced by €66 million, dropping from €270 million to €204 million, as announced by LaLiga. Real Madrid maintains the highest cap in the Spanish league at €727 million, with Atlético Madrid also surpassing Barcelona at €303 million.
The latest reduction in Barcelona's spending limit highlights the significant challenge the club faces in regaining competitiveness in the transfer market. Sources indicate that the club's squad costs exceed €400 million, more than double the imposed LaLiga limit.
As a result, Barcelona is subject to financial constraints, only permitted to spend a percentage of their savings in salaries or transfer fees. The percentage varies based on the magnitude of the saving.
For the current season, clubs exceeding their limit can utilize 50% of any savings made and 60% if the saving results from a departing player accounting for over 5% of their spending limit.
If the financial situation is not rectified before the summer, Barcelona may encounter difficulties in registering current players and making new signings. The club's reduced spending limit is attributed to various factors, including the impact of asset sales in 2022 and revenue challenges.
Barcelona's revenue for the season has been affected by a temporary relocation to the Olympic Stadium due to ongoing redevelopment at Spotify Camp Nou. President Joan Laporta noted that ticket sales have not met initial budget projections.
Real Madrid leads the league with a substantial spending limit, indicating financial flexibility for potential signings like Kylian Mbappé. Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Real Sociedad complete the top five in spending limits.
Girona maintains a limit of €52 million, ranking 15th in the league, while Alavés holds the lowest cap at €31 million. The spending limit is determined by a team's revenue minus non-sporting expenses and debt repayments, setting the maximum amount for wages, bonuses, and transfer payments across a season.
In addition to the men's first team, the spending limit covers expenses for reserve teams, women's teams, and basketball setups.
