La Liga president has warned the club that it cannot register players due to 1:1 rule
Barcelona’s ambitious transfer plans ahead of the 2025-26 season are under threat of collapse after La Liga president Javier Tebas confirmed the club are not yet operating under the league’s 1:1 financial rule.
The development could delay the registration of incoming players Joan Garcia and Nico Williams, despite both deals reportedly nearing completion.
“Barcelona are not in the 1:1 rule,” said Tebas at the ESADE campus in Madrid on Tuesday. “One thing is to make the signing of Joan Garcia official and another, to register him. They have to make movements and see which players they are going to decide.
“Barca has to do things to be able to register him. Not many, but they have to do things and they already know what they are.”
Barcelona triggered Garcia’s €25 million release clause at Espanyol last week, with the 24-year-old goalkeeper expected to be the first signing of the summer. However, under La Liga’s financial fair play regulations, the club must first reduce its wage bill or generate significant income through player sales to register new signings.
Tebas also cast doubt on Barcelona’s pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, whose €62 million release clause is expected to be paid in instalments. While reports suggest a six-year deal has already been agreed with the 22-year-old, Tebas said that Barcelona’s financial position may complicate the final stages of the move.
“I don’t know, but in the end you hear so many [names]. They don’t yet meet the requirements to sign freely. They can’t sign yet under the 1:1 rule.
If they want Nico, they will have to sell and adjust their accounts a lot.”
