Spanish giants FC Barcelona have yet to set a date on their return to the Nou Camp but discussions have begun over fundraising opportunities involving the stadium
A general view of Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium
Barcelona are waiting to move back into the redeveloped Nou Camp (
Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barcelona are poised to sell off a set of VIP seats at their revamped Nou Camp stadium for more than £165m, it has been claimed.
The Catalan club still don't have a finalised date to return to their historic home, having temporarily moved to Montjuic during the redevelopment. UEFA rules mean they won't be able to move away from Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys until February at the earliest, though Barca remain hopeful the work on the Nou Camp is completed before the end of the calendar year.
The latest news comes against a backdrop of financial uncertainty for the club when it comes to signing and registering new players. Barcelona have activated economic levers over the last few years, but were still unable to hang onto club legend Lionel Messi in 2021.
In March 2022, the club confirmed a deal with Spotify which would see the company enjoy naming rights on the stadium, and have continued to add to their squad since that particular windfall. The latest deal could further boost their short-term squad issues, which had threatened to keep them from registering a pair of key players.
According to Sport, negotiations are underway in relation to the advance marketing of a limited number of special VIP seats. The publication notes that rivals Real Madrid and other unnamed European clubs have gone down a similar path already.
Sixth Street, one of the companies that explored investment in Manchester United before Sir Jim Ratcliffe's takeover, is reported to be involved in Barcelona's negotiations. The discussions concern the sale of seats with 'special services' included, for a minimum period of 20 years.
Sport suggests one Qatari company has expressed interest in taking the entire package, worth an estimated €200million (£165.8m). Barcelona's board is understood to have already agreed to the proposal and gained the necessary approvals, though a final agreement with the buyer has yet to be confirmed.
What do you make of Barcelona's plans? Have your say in the comments section
The potential windfall could help Barcelona solve their Dani Olmo dilemma (
Image:
Europa Press via Getty Images)
The latest reports point to Barcelona's desire to get everything in place before the January transfer window. If they are successful, it could help them solve the problem of registering summer signings Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the second half of the season.
Both players were registered for the first half of the campaign due to the emergency injury rule, which meant Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo's wages weren't counted towards salary limits due to their long-term injury absence. Olmo and Pau Victor, who both played in Barca's most recent La Liga match away at Mallorca, would need to be re-registered in January.
Barca won 5-1 in Mallorca, with Raphinha scoring twice, as Hansi Flick's side ended a three-match winless league run. They sit four points clear of closest challengers Real Madrid going into the next round of fixtures, though Los Blancos have played one game fewer than their rivals.
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