The deadlines Barcelona must meet to sign Christensen’s replacement | OneFootball

Andreas Christensen’s injury has opened a regulatory window that allows Barcelona to temporarily use part of the defender’s wages to register a replacement.

However, turning that possibility into a completed signing will depend entirely on meeting a strict set of deadlines.

As reported before, La Liga regulations allow clubs to use up to 80% of an injured player’s salary to register a replacement, but this figure is adjusted depending on when the request is submitted during the season. 

Given the current stage of the campaign, Barcelona would realistically be allowed to use between 50% and 60% of Christensen’s wages.

In practical terms, that translates to between €5.2 million and €6.5 million of Christensen’s €13 million gross salary. 

This is the financial margin Barcelona could work with to bring in a new centre-back, either on loan or via a low-cost permanent deal. 

While this does not open the door to a marquee signing, it does give the club some breathing space at a moment when defensive depth is a growing concern.

What are the deadlines?

According to a detailed report from Mundo Deportivo, under La Liga’s Budget Preparation Regulations, Barcelona have 25 calendar days to formally submit their request. 

Barcelona will have to meet deadlines. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

That deadline falls on 15 January and missing it would immediately shut the door on using Christensen’s wages for a replacement.

Once the request is submitted, the process does not move instantly. La Liga’s Medical Committee must first review the case, a step that requires a minimum waiting period of three days. 

This means the earliest possible approval date would be 18 January, assuming there are no complications or requests for further documentation.

From that moment, the clock starts ticking again. Barcelona would then have 20 days to complete the signing using the available salary margin. 

Given that the Spanish winter transfer window closes on 2 February, this effectively leaves the club with around two weeks to identify, negotiate, and register a new player.

Meanwhile, there is one exception. A free agent could be signed after the window closes, but that route carries its own risks. 

Most notably, there is no guarantee the player could be registered for UEFA competitions, as the European deadline falls on 5 February.