(Football news) FC Barcelona were on top of the football world from 2000 but there seems to be a major decline with the club in the past 2 years. The Catalans have had a rough patch under President Josep Maria Bartomeu both in financial and footballing terms. The holes in the system have been creeping in for quite a while. The major impact was seen when Barcelona failed to extend Lionel Messi's contract due to financial rules in Spain.
The issues have started in the post Neymar era. The Blaugrana were paid a mammoth €222 million which they invested straight back into players such as Ousmane Dembélé and Philippe Coutinho. Most if not all of the recruitments haven't lived up to their expectations or their price tags. Despite a change in presidency with fan favourite Joan Laporta back incharge it will be a long time before Barcelona can operate smoothly. Two prominent examples of the mismanagement are Antoine Griezmann and Emerson Royal.
In 2019, Barcelona paid Griezmann's €120 Million release clause and offered him a mega money contract. The Frenchman had been linked with the Blaugrana for a few seasons before that. The signing at the time also looked surplus to needs. Griezmann performed well in patches but never really stamped his authority. In his first season, Griezmann played primarily on the left wing along with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. After Suarez's departure Griezmann was still not able to make a mark in Catalan colors. His high wages indirectly resulted in Messi leaving the club. Griezmann and Arda Turan prove that signing players from Atletico Madrid doesn't work for Barcelona. Laporta was so keen to get Griezmann off the wage bill that he allowed Atletico Madrid to re-sign the striker on loan with an obligation to buy for just €40 million. The signing has been an absolute disaster and will have long lasting effects on Barcelona's financial books.
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Emerson Royal and Barcelona have had a relationship like no other. The Brazilian right back was considered to have a bright future while playing at Atlético Mineiro in Brazil. In 2019, Atlético announced the transfer of Emerson to Barcelona for €12.7 million. The deal consisted of a joint financial operation between Barcelona and fellow La Liga side Real Betis, in which each club paid half of the transfer fee and retained a percentage of Emerson's economic rights, with Barcelona holding the option of reacquiring him for €6 million in 2021.
Barcelona exercised their right to buy Emerson and even presented him as a Barcelona player. President Joan Laporta said that “His release clause is €300 million and we hope he can stay here for many years.” Things changed overnight as Tottenham signed the full back for €25 million. There hasn't been any explanation from Laporta about these transactions. The President is usually vocal about transfers and behind the scenes operations.
It will be interesting to hear Laporta's explanation because the problems are certainly not his fault. Barcelona are pretty much deep into the rebuilding stage. Giving Messi's number 10 jersey to young La Masia graduate Ansu Fati might be an indication of things to come. Barcelona might go back to their roots as a club who makes talent instead of buying them. It wouldn't be a surprise if Barcelona don't spend a lot of money on players for at least the next 5 years.
