arcelona are in a race against time to register their new signings for the opening weekend of the LaLiga season.
When Rayo Vallecano come to town on Saturday night, it is entirely plausible that none of the big-money transfers the Catalans worked so hard to bring in this summer will be eligible to play.
LaLiga will only let Barcelona register Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Raphinha once they are satisfied that the club adheres to its strict salary cap structure. Furthermore, the contract renewals of Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto are also not yet registered.
Each club’s wage allowance is measured against its revenue, hence the selling of off various assets, including future TV rights, as financial ‘levers’.
So far, LaLiga have failed to accept the valuation of these sales even though Barcelona believe they have now done enough to meet the figures required to register their new signings.
Therefore, either the league must change its mind, more ‘levers’ must be activated, or players sold before the match to ensure Lewandowski and Co. can play.
If available, the new stars should complete a rather fierce looking 4-3-3 setup by coach Xavi spearheaded by the Polish striker. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong are expected to feature despite talks ongoing over potential moves to Chelsea.
Ferran Torres is the only injury doubt.
Predicted Barcelona XI (if signings are registered): Ter Stegen; Araujo, Kounde, Pique, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Dembele.
Predicted Barcelona XI (if signings are not registered): Ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Pique, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Depay, Aubameyang, Fati.
