Barcelona could reportedly face a potentially disastrous bill if they are unable to resolve the saga surrounding Dani Olmo.
Olmo joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig in the summer in a £47million deal but could only be registered on a temporary arrangement until the end of 2024 owing to LaLiga's ongoing financial constraints on Barcelona.
The Catalan giants had been trying to re-register the attacking midfielder so that he can play for them beyond December 31, while they had also been looking to extend his team-mate Pau Victor's registration.
However, LaLiga issued a statement on New Year's Eve, confirming they have turned down Barcelona's proposal to register Olmo and Victor, leaving the star's future uncertain - with the Spanish midfielder able to leave on a free transfer if the situation isn't resolved.
Mail Sport reported last week how Olmo is attracting interesting from several Premier League clubs, with his agent Andy Bara spending time in Manchester amid the ongoing uncertainty in regards to his client.
Bara has claimed that the player's intention is to 'stay at Barcelona' and that they are 'not considering any other option'.
However, if Barcelona are unable to register Olmo, the Catalan giants could face a ruinous bill that would have severe impacts on a club that has continually struggled financially over recent years.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo has reported that Barcelona would still be required to pay RB Leipzig the full £47m fee that was agreed when they signed the attacking midfielder in the summer.
And, even if he does depart, Olmo would also still be entitled to be paid the £41m in wages he is owed for the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2030.
Elsewhere, Olmo's market value is currently estimated at £53m, as per Transfermarkt, but given the 26-year-old's eligibility to leave on a free, Barcelona would miss out on any potential transfer fee if he departs.
Meanwhile, Barcelona attempted to plug the financial gap they face by selling VIP boxes at the Nou Camp, which is undergoing renovations.
This brought in an estimated £87m worth of revenue, although Goal reported that some experts believe the club could have received double that amount if the sales process hadn't been rushed in an attempt to register Olmo.
Given the transfer fee, wages, Olmo's market value and unfulfilled revenue, this means that Barcelona could effectively lose out on a combined £218m overall.
This is a huge blow to the Catalan giants and raises several questions about their attempts to balance the books over the next few years, while the position of president Joan Laporta would also come under further scrutiny.
Nevertheless, reports claim that Barcelona remain optimistic they can resolve the situation over the next few days.
Mundo Deportivo reported how there is confidence at Barcelona that if they can demonstrate the payments in full for the VIP boxes, then LaLiga will allow them to register both Olmo and Victor.
They are in a race against time, but there is said to be a belief at the Nou Camp that Barcelona will have all the documents in place by Friday.
Hansi Flick's side return to action on Saturday when they travel to lower league side Barbastro in the Copa Del Rey and it remains to be seen whether Olmo will be involved.
