After months of drama, the summer transfer window is finally behind us. It was a crucial period for FC Barcelona, more than any other club in Europe.
Following months of anxiety, the club can easily call the summer window a success, having been able to bring in players for cut-price deals.
More importantly, Barcelona have been able to cut costs and lower their wage bill, which was one of their priorities heading into the summer.
Here’s how much Barcelona have saved this summer
According to a recent report from EFE, Barcelona have reduced its wage bill by a whopping €161 million following the closure of the summer transfer window.
Just before the club’s transfer operation in the summer, they had a wage bill of €566 million. This meant Barça had a 73% ratio over income, as calculated by UEFA.
However, following the end of the summer transfer window, Barcelona’s ratio over income stands at 54%, which is a substantial reduction, with their new wage bill standing at €404,709,155.
How did this happen?
This can be credited to the departure of various players including Antoine Griezmann, Francisco Trincao, Ousmane Dembele, Franck Kessie, and Ansu Fati, among many others.
Not to mention, two of the club’s highest earners Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets also left the club at the end of last season.
On the flip side, Barcelona were able to sign Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu, Joao Cancelo, Joao Felix, and Inigo Martinez.
But the combined salary amortisations of these five players will amount to a little over €50 million. In contrast, Barcelona freed up €212 million from the exit of their star players this summer.
The sale of Griezmann, Trincao, Nico, Dembele, Abde, and Kessie alone brought in over €80 million for Barça, whereas they spent only €3.4 million on new signings, thus highlighting an excellent summer transfer window for the club.
One can now expect the Catalans to try and lower their wage bill further in the upcoming January transfer window.