How high spending is possible again
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The race for Anthony Gordon (25) has been decided: After FC Bayern had long been credited with pole position, FC Barcelona overtook them and crossed the finish line with an agreement with Newcastle United. The Catalans are digging deeper into their wallets than the people of Munich were prepared to do.
With a base fee of 80 million euros, Gordon, who signed until 2031, becomes the most expensive Barça signing since Antoine Griezmann (36), who came from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2019 for 120 million euros. With up to 10 million euros in bonuses and a resale share, the attacker could overtake Luis Suárez (39), his future teammate Frenkie de Jong (29), like Griezmann signed seven years ago, and Neymar (34) in the ranking and move into fourth place.
It surprises some people that Barça, of all teams, beat Munich. The Catalans have repeatedly had problems registering new signings in recent years due to their financial difficulties. But Gordon’s signature and also the courtship of Julián Alvarez (26), for whom an offer worth 100 million euros was reportedly submitted to Atlético, show that these times will soon be a thing of the past.
“Gordon has established himself in recent years as one of the most powerful, talented and hard-working wingers in Europe. His ability to improve and the ambition to become more complete every day stand out. Although he has spent a large part of his career as a winger, he has also played some games as a center forward. A position that he could also strengthen as a Barça player,” reads Barcelona’s press release on the new signing.
Why FC Barcelona can spend more money again
According to Spanish media reports, Barça are only 12 million to 14 million euros short of falling under the one-to-one rule again. This means that a club is allowed to reinvest any amount raised into its own amount. However, if a club like Barça is heavily in debt and cannot meet the financial limits, only 25 percent can be spent again. In recent years, this has led to an increasing number of free transfer deals, loans or unusual sources of income off the pitch for the Catalans.
The farewell to Robert Lewandowski (37) and the end of the loan of Marcus Rashford (28), who is returning to Man United for the time being, will reportedly free up around 40 million euros in salary costs. Marc-André ter Stegen (34) is also set to leave the club as another big earner. That alone gives Barça a certain amount of leeway for investments. However, the Catalans still need transfer income. Ferran Torres (26), who is entering his final year of contract, and midfielder Marc Casadó (22) are considered sales candidates. Other loan returners alongside Ter Stegen such as Ansu Fati (23, Monaco) should also bring in money. Transfer payments for additions are also written off in the balance sheet over the term of the contract, so Gordon only has to pay EUR 16 million per year.
The 17-time England international, who is going to the World Cup with the Three Lions, is currently available because Newcastle also relies on income to avoid problems with financial fair play. After 17 goals this season and five assists – twelve of them scorers in the Champions League, in which Barça wants to attack again – Gordon initially came into focus at FC Bayern as a flexible option on the offensive behind Luis Díaz (29) and Michael Olise (24) and was considered the ideal solution there. But the people of Munich were not prepared to dig as deep into their wallets as the Catalans. At 80 million euros, Gordon becomes the Magpies’ second most expensive departure.
