Barcelona to enter summer window under 1:1 rule after Lewandowski exit | OneFootball

Robert Lewandowski’s departure from Barcelona comes as a massive blow to Hansi Flick’s team, more in an emotional sense than a sporting one.

After all, the Polish striker has been a leader for the club throughout its rebuild phase and stood firm as a pillar in helping the club get back to where it deserves to be.

With him officially announcing his departure, Barcelona must now begin planning forward and look for a new striker in June. There is, however, a silver lining to Lewandowski’s exit.

Back to the 1:1

As reported by Mundo Deportivo in a recent report, Robert Lewandowski was on a gross salary of €24 million last season, taking up a major part of the wage bill. His departure, thus, lightens Barcelona’s payroll significantly after June.

Lewandowski’s departure lightens the wage bill. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

That alteration, as it stands, seems to be enough to get Barcelona back to the financial 1:1 rule in the coming summer transfer window along with the other economic boosts acknowledged by the auditor.

The growth of the Spotify Camp Nou and potential revenue increase as it continues to open up in phases is one other factor that boosts the club’s financial stability. In addition, the auditor acknowledges that €71 million remains to be collected on that front from VIP seats.

Together, these factors will be enough to ensure Barcelona enter the summer window with the 1:1 rule in place – something they have been denied for far too long.

What does this mean?

Returning to the 1:1 rule is massive for Barcelona, as it implies that the club can spend a penny for every penny gained. They can utilise 100% of the amortisation cost released by a player sale on a new signing.

Will Flick finally get the signings he needs? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Until now, in recent years, Barcelona could only free up 60% of the amortisation of the departing player’s salary cost, and that number went up to 70% for ‘franchise players.’

Further, they could only utilise 20% of the transfer income generated in transfer fees at the time of a player sale, up to 35% for ‘franchise players.’ Now, however, they will have no such restriction on the use of income generated.