FC BARCELONA SIGNINGS 2025
The millions in 'Fair Play' that Barça frees up with Lenglet's departure
Published:10/06/2025 - 22:40h
Updated:10/06/2025 - 22:40h
Barça was finally able to get rid of Clément Lenglet's contract. Although the Frenchman left with a letter of freedom, his departure will generate several million in 'Fair Play' for the Barça payroll.
FC Barcelona has activated its calculator to resolve the termination of Clément Lenglet's contract. The 29-year-old centre-back had renewed for one more season, until 2027, with the aim of deferring the 16 million euros gross of his salary in three parts.
This facilitated his departure to Atlético de Madrid last summer, after the 'colchonero' team agreed to take over 70% of his emoluments. These were set at 10.6 million gross, an amount that LaLiga takes as a reference to calculate the salary margin that his departure from the Barça squad frees up.
Barça could not continue to bear his salary and Atlético, although seeking his definitive signing, was not willing to assume such a high contract. Much less to pay compensation to the Azulgrana team for the concept of transfer.
By giving him a letter of freedom, Barcelona got rid of Lenglet, who took the opportunity to close a contract for three seasons, until June 2028, with the 'rojiblanco' team. A formula that makes all parties happy, although financially Barça was the most affected.
Barça can only dispose of 60% of Lenglet's fee: Why?
The 29-year-old defender agreed to lower his emoluments receiving a culé economic compensation (not disclosed) for the two years of contract he had left. Those two years (21.2 'kilos) now allow Barça to save a total of 6.4 million annually thanks to the salary cost and amortization of the Frenchman.
Why doesn't LaLiga compute the full €10.6M of the Frenchman's salary? Because Barça is still exceeded in its salary margin. As they do not yet have enough 'Fair Play' to return to rule 1:1, the culés can only take advantage of 60% of the mass that the departure of any player frees up.
The same would happen if Atlético had paid economic compensation for the concept of transfer. The margin, yes, may vary according to the total cost of the Azulgrana squad, along with other operations that allow the team to release more 'Fair Play'.
Lenglet's departure will be much more beneficial back to rule 1:1
In principle, the board is confident that Barça will return to rule 1:1 before next June 30. In addition to the pending income of €100M derived from the sale of 475 VIP seats of the new Spotify Camp Nou, the club will close the 24/25 financial year with profits in the order of 950 million, almost 60 'kilos' more than the estimated budget.
The club had temporarily returned to 1:1 in January, but its new auditor, Crowe, conditioned the payment of the seats to their construction and operation within the Estadi. A requirement that the club has met, although the opening of the culé temple is scheduled for late September.
How does rule 1:1 work? LaLiga calculates the Limit of Sports Squad Cost (LCPD) of each club, allowing it to spend on sports salaries (players and coaching staff included) every euro that enters its coffers for the sales of players or salary savings in the case of loans and/or terminations (like Leglet). The last season of Barça with financial normality was 2019/20.
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