Spanish champions Barcelona had been mired in a financial crisis weeks ago, unable to pay player wages in June. The club has since been stabilized, securing a five-year, €155 million loan deal on Wednesday, which will allow their annual budget of €50 million for transfers to be put into the market.
That's the situation Barcelona has reported on their web site, one week after new club president Sandro Rosell, who took over the position for Joan Laporta on July 1, announced on the club web site that his regime had found sufficient debt within the club to necessitate the loan.
That loan secured, Barcelona can now shift focus to their pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, claiming the costs of the previous acquisition of David Villa has been offset by subsequent sales:
"The club has approximately 50 million euros net to spend on new players each season," Barca said on their website after a news conference by vice-president for finance Javier Faus.
"In the case of this season, buying David Villa combined with the sales of Yaya Toure and Dmytro Chygrynskiy balance themselves out.
"This means the club still has 50 million euros to spend."
Barcelona is also said to be considering off-loading striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Rafa Marquez.
Earlier this off season, Barcelona had tabled a €35 million bid for Fàbregas, a former trainee. That bid was rejected by Arsenal.