Barcelona could be set to operate under La Liga’s ‘1:1 rule’ for the first time in three years, according to comments made by La Liga CEO Javier Gomez on Tuesday. The rule dictates that clubs within their salary limit can reinvest the full value of player sales and wage savings into new signings, a privilege Barcelona has been without since 2023.
The Blaugrana have recently indicated they are only €11-12 million short of increasing their salary limit, which would grant them greater flexibility in the upcoming transfer window. However, Barcelona have only operated within their salary limit once since the start of the pandemic, benefiting from inflated limits following the use of economic levers – asset sales – to fund squad investment.
Gomez addressed the situation during a media event, stating that while no club currently knows their exact financial standing, approximately 95% have a clear understanding of their position. He highlighted Barcelona’s potential gains from VIP box revenue, the departure of Robert Lewandowski, and the opening of a new stand at Camp Nou as factors influencing their salary cap.
He told Sport, “We can’t make assessments; you can. But there is public data. The auditor has accepted, for example, around €70m from the VIP boxes . Then there’s Lewandowski’s departure, he has a high salary cost . They’re going to open a new stand at Camp Nou. That’s enough to form an opinion.” Gomez also emphasized the impact of Lewandowski’s departure, noting that Barcelona had already factored his absence into their calculations for the 2026/27 season.
The ‘1:1 rule’ is crucial for Barcelona as it would allow them to maximize their transfer budget. Currently, clubs exceeding their salary limit can only reinvest 60% of revenue generated from sales and savings, significantly hindering their ability to strengthen the squad. It is worth noting that La Liga has previously expressed optimism about Barcelona’s salary limit situation without the 1:1 rule being reinstated.
Meanwhile, Ansu Fati has not yet committed to a permanent move to AS Monaco, despite the Ligue 1 club holding an €11 million purchase option. According to barcacentre, the forward, whose contract with Barcelona runs until 2028, still sees himself as a potential option for the club’s left-wing position next season. This potential return to the squad further complicates Barcelona’s financial planning for the summer transfer window.
If Barcelona are able to return to the 1:1 rule, it will be a significant boost to their transfer ambitions, allowing them to compete more effectively in the market. However, the club’s recent history suggests caution, and the situation remains subject to change.
