Resurrecting a fallen giant is no easy feat, yet that is the task FC Barcelona’s administration finds themselves contending with.
Heading into the summer, a seismic transfer window for Barca was a certainty, with the only question being regarding its scale. After the club’s socios voted in favour of a short-term financial injection, the economic strains were eased, and Barcelona could finally begin to recruit.
Needless to say, they’ve really made the most of things.
With Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen signed for a total of zero in fees, the Spanish outfit bested Chelsea and brought Raphinha to Camp Nou.
The best was yet to come, as Barca managed to pull Robert Lewandowski, despite all the issues plaguing the club. Without firm intent from the striker, the deal would’ve been impossible, and Poland International essentially did all he could to force a move.
Be it public declarations or a lethargic training attitude, Lewandowski made his desire more than apparent, eventually earning his move. And as it turns out, ending on a sour note with Bayern Munich wasn’t the only compromise made by the striker.
Going by reports, the 33-year-old accepted a 25% pay cut, lowering his salary from €12 million net to €9 million annually, with his weekly wage dropping from €250,000 net to €180,000 at Barca.
Aside from higher pay, the striker also left behind a rather cosy situation at the Bavarians, as he was Bayern’s talisman, a side that is practically a UCL favourite every year.
The move speaks magnitudes of the Catalans’ allure, despite the troubled recent past superstars such as Lewandowski are still drawn to the club, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Barcelona bring another big name to the Camp Nou.
