Barcelona Navigate Stadium Delay and Player Registration Puzzle | OneFootball

Barcelona Face Registration Headache as Transfer Deadline Looms

Barcelona’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win at Levante should have been the headline story of the weekend, but it was overshadowed by growing financial and registration issues that threaten to derail the club’s plans for the season. Despite back-to-back victories in La Liga, significant challenges remain behind the scenes.

The Athletic highlighted the key concern: “A week out from the close of the window, re-signed goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Sweden youth international Roony Bardghji, and homegrown defender Gerard Martin are all still unregistered to play in any competition for the first team.” This underlines the scale of the challenge for Hansi Flick and the sporting department.

Financial Constraints and Creative Measures

Barcelona had hoped that an early return to Camp Nou would trigger a €100m revenue boost linked to VIP seating, but the stadium renovations are not yet complete. With inspectors from La Liga and UEFA visiting the works, a return before mid-September now appears unlikely.

The situation has forced Barca into inventive solutions. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia was registered after Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury opened a gap, while Marcus Rashford’s registration required a bank guarantee from the club’s directors. These short-term fixes highlight the pressure the club faces in balancing ambition with fiscal reality.

Photo IMAGO

Outgoings Could Decide Barca’s Market Activity

For now, departures are the priority. “Veteran midfielder Oriol Romeu and goalkeeper Inaki Pena are both almost certain to leave this week,” reported The Athletic, while Hector Fort and Marc Casado also face uncertain futures.

Casado is perhaps the most valuable asset Barca could cash in on, with Premier League interest from West Ham and others. A fee in the region of €30m has been mentioned, and while Flick wants to keep the Spanish international, such a sum would significantly help the club’s compliance with La Liga’s financial rules.

Roony Bardghji’s situation is another subplot. Even registering him with Barca Atletic requires wage adjustments, and a loan back to Copenhagen has been suggested in the Catalan media.

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Depth Under Scrutiny

While Flick and Deco have stated that no new centre-back will be signed, Saturday’s display against Levante might spark a rethink. Without Inigo Martinez, who departed for Al Nassr, Barca’s defence looked vulnerable, conceding twice and struggling to cope with counter-attacks. The loss of Martinez’s leadership has been keenly felt, and if the high defensive line remains a tactical cornerstone, reinforcements may yet be necessary.

Barcelona’s ability to navigate these next seven days will define their season. Fail to register key players, and Flick’s tactical plans could be compromised. Move swiftly and decisively, and Barca might yet emerge stronger from a challenging summer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Barcelona fans, the situation feels like déjà vu. Another summer dominated by financial levers, delayed stadium plans and uncertainty over player registration. The excitement of Rashford’s arrival and the promise of young talents like Roony Bardghji are being tempered by concerns over whether they can even feature.

Fans will question how a club of Barca’s stature continues to operate on such fine margins. While the board insists these are transitional pains as the Camp Nou rebuild progresses, trust is wearing thin. Flick deserves credit for making a perfect start in La Liga, but without full squad availability, sustaining momentum will be a tall order.

The possibility of selling Marc Casado divides opinion. Supporters value his energy and progression from the academy, but €30m is hard to ignore. If Barca lose a homegrown player for financial reasons, it will spark debate over the club’s identity and priorities.

Ultimately, fans crave stability. Registering Szczesny, Roony and Gerard Martin is essential. If these issues are not resolved by deadline day, Barca’s depth will be tested severely, and dreams of competing on multiple fronts could fade quickly.