Just in: Barcelona confident of returning to 1:1 rule before summer | OneFootball

Barcelona continue to work to stabilise their finances, and a recent report from SPORT has shed light on the club’s main economic objective ahead of the summer transfer window. 

The Blaugrana are determined to return to LaLiga’s 1:1 financial fair play rule, a milestone they believe is crucial for strengthening the squad, particularly in attack.

At present, Barcelona are still operating outside the 1:1 rule, but that has not stopped them from acting in the January market.

The club is set to incorporate Joao Cancelo on loan, taking advantage of the long-term absence of Andreas Christensen. 

Barcelona’s bigger objective

However, the bigger picture is focused on the summer. Internally, the club see a return to the 1:1 rule as essential, especially if they want to sign a top-level striker.

Sources within the club remain confident that this objective will be achieved, pointing to recent progress and deals that have already laid the groundwork.

Notably, Barcelona were briefly back under the 1:1 rule for a few weeks in January 2025. 

That temporary return was made possible by a major commercial operation involving the future Spotify Camp Nou. 

Barcelona are confident of reaching their objective. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The club granted the exploitation rights for 475 VIP seats for a period of 30 years in exchange for €100 million.

Those VIP seats were acquired by two entities: the Qatari fund Forta Advisors and New Era Visionary Group. 

At the time, Forta Advisors paid €30 million, while New Era Visionary Group contributed €28 million. 

The remaining €42 million was scheduled to be paid later, with New Era Visionary Group responsible for completing the amount.

The issue arose when the full €100 million had not yet been received. As a result, the operation could not be fully validated by the auditor, prompting LaLiga to remove Barcelona from the 1:1 rule. 

Since then, progress has resumed. Of the outstanding €42 million, Barça have already received €12 million on schedule, with the remaining €30 million expected to arrive in June.

Once that final payment is completed, the VIP seating deal can be fully accounted for, opening the door for Barcelona to return to the 1:1 rule.