This crisis encompasses sporting, financial, and reputational dimensions.
On the pitch, Hansi Flick’s squad now faces the prospect of losing their marquee summer signing – an asset who could soon walk away for free.
Financially, Barcelona must pay the full 48 million euros (£40m) to RB Leipzig for Olmo, with his long-term contract running until 2030.
They will also have to pay him the totality of his contract, a clause added to his contract, which leaves the club with a financial gap of 120 million euros (£100m).
And reputationally, the debacle tarnishes the club’s image, particularly that of its president, Joan Laporta, who was voted in in March 2021.
Laporta, who has personally overseen this issue, now finds himself exposed.
Since the departure of chief executive Ferran Reverter in early 2022 and the resignation of economic vice-president Eduard Romeu in 2024, two of 20 directors who have left unable to accept the way things are run at the club, Laporta has declined to fill these crucial roles, leaving him solely accountable for the fallout.
The situation deteriorated further after Barcelona faced two swift legal defeats in less than 72 hours before the La Liga deadline, as courts in Barcelona rejected the club’s requests for provisional measures to register Olmo and Víctor.
With these avenues closed, Laporta turned to the Spanish Football Federation, requesting new licenses for both players, something that is not accepted by La Liga who do not allow a player to be registered by the same club twice in a season.
The Federation, led by Rafael Louzan, has little incentive to challenge La Liga, especially after Tebas was recently appointed as Louzan’s vice president. This alignment has left Barcelona without allies, rendering Laporta’s appeals futile.
The last glimmer of hope for Barcelona lies in a proposed deal to sell VIP seats at the future Spotify Camp Nou for 100–120 million euros – an amount significantly lower than what the club could have secured under less desperate circumstances.
Barcelona claims the funds have been paid, albeit after La Liga’s deadline, and are now attempting to convince the league to accept the payment and allow the registration of players.
However, La Liga maintains Barcelona failed to submit the required documentation confirming the transaction before the deadline, meaning the club cannot re-register Olmo or Víctor.
Ironically, while Barcelona may be blocked from re-registering their players, they might still be able to sign new ones. Yet, to facilitate any of this, the club has had to pre-sell seats in a stadium that does not yet exist.
