Barcelona handed financial boost as club chase Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Bernardo Silva
Barcelona were handed a recent financial boost, but what does that mean for the club’s summer transfer plans, and their pursuit of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Bernardo Silva?
Following three straight years of losses, Barcelona's financial outlook is beginning to look brighter after the club's members voted in favour of a big money deal for merchandising and television rights.
The vote allows the Catalan giants to sell a stake of up to 49.9% in the club's subsidiary company, Barca Licensing and Merchandising. What's more, with 25% of television rights up for grabs, Barcelona could bring in as much as £600million from the two deals alone.
With that in mind, here's a look at their main transfer targets.
Robert Lewandowski
🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski stats for Bayern Munich:
— LiveScore (@livescore) June 17, 2022
👕 374 games
⚽️ 344 goals
🅰️ 72 assists
🏆 19 trophies
The end of an era? 😢 pic.twitter.com/enqgosm6aX
Poland international Robert Lewandowski has already expressed his desire to leave Bayern Munich. However, the one major stumbling block preventing his move to Barcelona has been the club's inability to pay the big bucks. Considering the latest developments, that might not be an issue for long.
Lewandowski still has one year left on his contract, and the German champions are looking for a transfer fee of around £35million.
Nevertheless, the deal appears to have moved a step closer after Bayern agreed a move with Liverpool for Senegalese forward Sadio Mane - a potential replacement for Lewandowski.
Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde's preferred move this summer is Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/VmuStkyejv
— GOAL (@goal) June 15, 2022
Cesar Azpilicueta
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to follow the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen through the Stamford Bridge exit door this summer.
Following the departure of Dani Alves, Xavi is keen to fill the hole at left-back and Azpilicueta would certainly fit that bill.
Marcos Alonso
🚨 Marcos Alonso has reiterated his desire to Chelsea to join Barcelona this summer. He has already agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 13, 2022
(Source: @FabrizioRomano) pic.twitter.com/qYAgPwfSgk
Another Chelsea man who could be about to swap Stamford Bridge for the Camp Nou is Marcos Alonso.
Alonso recently dropped a hint about his future, telling Onda Cero: "I can't complain about anything at Chelsea, but the desire to play in Spain is there. It doesn't depend entirely on me and I'm happy at Chelsea, honestly."
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva was so good last season. You couldn’t get the ball off him ✨
— CrossAndNod (@crossandnodFT) June 10, 2022
pic.twitter.com/52YYqzxb0y
After a sensational season with Manchester City, it would take some effort - and money - if Bernardo Silva is to join Barcelona.
Raphinha
With continuing uncertainty over the future of Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona are keen to sign Leeds United winger, Raphinha.
With the Whites managing to avoiding relegation last season, the Spanish outfit would need to fork out around £50million to make the deal happen.
However, there is a worry that if Barcelona stall for much longer, another team could swoop in on the forward.