Barcelona Faces €115,000 Bill for New Player Registrations
Barcelona is set to pay the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) approximately €115,618 to register their latest summer acquisitions, Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford. The mandatory fees are required to finalize the players' inclusion in the top-division squad, adding another layer of complexity to the club's ongoing financial maneuvering.
Registration Costs Breakdown: Garcia and Rashford
The payment to the RFEF breaks down to a fixed fee of €57,809 for each player's registration. This standard charge applies to all players registered in Spain's top football division, ensuring their eligibility to compete in La Liga.
Additional License Fees Add to Barcelona's Financial Strain
Beyond the initial registration fees, Barcelona will also incur standard player license fees for the upcoming 2025–26 campaign. These licenses cost €1,268.5 per player, and with a maximum squad size of 25, the total expense could reach an additional €31,000. These costs are a standard part of maintaining a competitive squad but add to the financial pressures on the club.
Rashford's Loan Deal and Medical Scheduled
Marcus Rashford's highly anticipated move to Barcelona is expected to be a loan deal, potentially including an option to buy. Rashford is scheduled to undergo his medical at Ciutat Esportiva on Monday, July 21, 2025. If all goes according to plan, he could be officially presented as a new Barcelona player as early as Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Financial Fair Play Hurdles and Player Exits
The finalization of Rashford's registration hinges on Barcelona's ability to create sufficient financial fair play (FFP) margin. This involves offloading existing players to reduce the wage bill and free up space within La Liga's financial regulations. The savings generated from the departures of Clement Lenglet, Ansu Fati (loaned to Monaco), and Pablo Torre (moved to Mallorca) are crucial to facilitate Rashford's registration.
Ter Stegen's Potential Surgery Could Provide Relief
In a potentially significant development, Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is reportedly considering surgery to address a persistent back issue. This procedure could sideline him for approximately four months. Under La Liga's injury clause, 80% of his salary could be temporarily removed from the wage bill during his absence. This unexpected situation could inadvertently provide Barcelona with much-needed financial flexibility to register new players, including Rashford.
Key Dates for Barcelona's Transfer Activities
Several key dates are looming for Barcelona as they navigate the registration process:
- July 2025: Ongoing processing of registrations for Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford.
- Monday, July 21, 2025: Marcus Rashford's scheduled medical tests at Ciutat Esportiva.
- Tuesday, July 22, 2025: Potential presentation of Marcus Rashford as a new Barcelona player.
- Thursday, July 24, 2025: The Barcelona team is slated to depart for their pre-season tour of Asia, with Rashford potentially joining the squad if registration is completed.
Stakeholders Involved in Barcelona's Player Registrations
Several key stakeholders are involved in Barcelona's player registration process. FC Barcelona is at the center, managing the signings and responsible for meeting the financial obligations. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) sets and collects the mandatory registration fees. La Liga enforces financial regulations, including FFP, which Barcelona must comply with. Hansi Flick, Barcelona's head coach, plays a role in integrating the new signings into the squad. The departing players, such as Clement Lenglet, Ansu Fati, and Pablo Torre, are important for Barcelona to generate the necessary financial margin for new player registrations. Marc-Andre ter Stegen's potential injury and subsequent salary removal from the wage bill could aid Barcelona's financial fair play efforts.
Financial Fair Play Concerns Continue to Loom Over Barcelona
While the €115,000 payment for registration fees is standard, the underlying issue for Barcelona remains their well-documented financial difficulties and the ongoing struggle to comply with La Liga's Financial Fair Play rules. The need to offload existing players to create "fair play margin" for new signings highlights the club's financial tightrope walk.
