Barcelona set to lose 50% rights with former defender closes in on free transfer | OneFootball

A recent report from SPORT has shed light on a situation that could turn into a financial setback for Barcelona in the coming months. 

The Catalan club are at serious risk of losing their 50% stake in the future of Mika Marmol, with all signs pointing towards the defender leaving Las Palmas on a free transfer next summer.

Marmol joined Las Palmas in 2023 after leaving Barça, signing a deal that runs until 2026. 

As part of that agreement, Las Palmas acquired 50% of the player’s rights, while Barcelona smartly retained the remaining half. 

At the time, it was seen as a sensible move that could allow Barça to profit in the future without keeping the player on their books.

Las Palmas have been very rigid

Since then, Marmol’s profile has steadily grown. In almost every transfer window, his name has surfaced as a potential reinforcement for clubs with European ambitions. 

Last summer, Girona made a strong push to sign him and were prepared to put a serious offer on the table. 

However, Las Palmas stood firm and demanded a higher fee than his release clause. Negotiations eventually collapsed, and the defender stayed put.

Mika Marmol will leave Las Palmas on a free transfer. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

That decision now appears costly. Barcelona were close to earning between €4 million and €5 million from their share of a potential sale, but that opportunity slipped away. 

Marmol’s release clause stands at €10 million, a figure that AS Roma were reportedly close to paying during a previous winter window. Once again, no deal was completed.

Now what?

With Marmol’s contract nearing its end, Las Palmas have been pushing hard for a renewal in order to avoid losing him for nothing. 

Those efforts, however, have so far failed and a January sale now looks highly unlikely. 

With just months left on his deal, interested clubs are offering reduced fees, and any transfer would still require Barcelona to take 50% of the amount. 

That makes a deal unattractive for Las Palmas and barely worthwhile for Barça.

As things stand, everything points towards Marmol leaving as a free agent and if that happens, Barcelona will see their 50% stake disappear entirely.