sport news Will Barcelona fans vote to ease their financial woes and sign Robert ... trends now
Barcelona could slip out of their financial straitjacket today, if their members allow it. If they do, they would be able to sell off several chunks of the club quickly and for a high price.
At 6.30pm local time in Barcelona 4,478 senior 'socios' (members) will decide if the club can go ahead with plans to sell just under half of its retail arm, Barça Licensing and Merchandising, and cede quarter of TV rights revenue over the next 50 years to an investment fund.
If the confidential online vote gives the green light to president Joan Laporta's plans the club believe it will generate between €500m (£427m) and €700m (£598m) with the sales and that could mean they can sign freely this summer without being tied to the 4:1 rule which currently means that to spend a euro, they have to generate four.
4,478 Barcelona 'socios' hold the short-term future of the club in their hands on Thursday night as they vote on a proposal that will raise much needed funds
Barcelona may be able to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski if it's voted through
Barcelona's members are set to make a decision with huge implications for the club's finances
If the deals to sell half the retail arm and cede TV rights brings in €700m, as has been suggested it could, that will swing the club's salary cap from €144m (£123m) in the minus (as it currently stands) to something closer to €550m (£470m) in the positive.
That would still be above their current wage bill set at 560m (£480m) euros. So they would remain stuck with the 4:1 rule.
But if they also reduce the wage bill (and the closer the sum of money raised is to 700m euros the less they will need to cut the wage bill by) then they will be clear to buy and sell normally.
Such a breakthrough would mean they could sign Robert Lewandowski and register without problems new signings such as Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
Other signings would remain in limbo, however, because this will by no means be the starting gun for the club to rush into market and begin throwing money around as they were guilty of doing under previous president Josep Bartomeu.
Barcelona would be able to register Andreas Christensen if they sign him from Chelsea
Barcelona president Joan Laporta predicts the sale of rights could bring in up to £600million
They like France defender Jules Kounde but they cannot match Chelsea in terms of wages and he will only arrive at the Camp Nou if his desire to come is sufficient for him to earn close to half what Chelsea are offering
