From releasing club legends to activating economic levers for registering new signings, Barcelona have tried almost everything in the book to improve their financial standing in recent years.
Barcelona's Economic Vice President Eduard Romeo explained that the club were still €1.35 billion in debt as of June 2023 (h/t Forbes). Since then, the club has continued to take measures to reduce its liabilities.
It seems the Blaugrana aren't in the place they want to be ahead of the end of the transfer window and are still making financial cuts. According to Relevo, the budget cuts have reached the canteens of La Masia.
The club are planning to remove the free breakfast offered to academy players. They feel not every youngster takes advantage of the free meal and see it as a viable cutback.
Fans have since taken shots at the Blaugrana, with many mocking the decision. One tweeted:
Another added:
Here are some of the top Twitter reactions:
Barca's financial problems have restricted them to search for bargain deals in the transfer market. They signed Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez on free transfers and paid €3.4 million to bring in Oriol Romeu this summer.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have raked in €97.9 million in transfer fees by selling the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Franck Kessie, Trincao and Nico Gonzalez. Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Alex Collado and Samuel Umtiti, meanwhile, left on free transfers.
Barcelona were clever to get a deal done for Ilkay Gundogan this summer. The German superstar arrived at the Camp Nou on a free transfer from Manchester City.
A player of Gundogan's quality and experience can cost teams a fortune in the transfer market. He was at his usual best as his team beat Cadiz 2-0 in La Liga at home on Sunday
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