What a rumoured Saudi takeover could mean for Barcelona’s future

December 17, 2025 Oliver Obel

Barcelona do not lack quality on the pitch. What they have lacked repeatedly is freedom. Now, fresh speculation about a potential ownership change has reopened a familiar but uncomfortable question: what happens if one of football’s most regulated clubs suddenly gains unmatched financial power?

Reports from Marca and Sport have claimed that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is exploring a potential bid that could value the La Liga club at around €10 billion.

No negotiations have been confirmed, but the scale of the figure alone has shifted the conversation from gradual recovery to rapid transformation.

Strength without certainty

Even amid financial strain, Barcelona remain a serious sporting force. Robert Lewandowski still leads the line, Pedri dictates tempo in midfield, and Ballon d’Or runner-up Lamine Yamal represents the club’s long-term future.

Operating under strict spending and registration limits imposed by La Liga, Barcelona nevertheless added goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol and secured Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United this summer moves reported by Mundo Deportivo as financially cautious rather than expansive.

Why ownership would change the rules

Barcelona’s financial problems are well documented. Reuters and The Athletic have both detailed how debt levels and La Liga’s cost-control system have constrained the club’s ability to register players and renew contracts.

A takeover would not simply increase spending power; it would remove the structural barriers that have shaped Barcelona’s recent strategy. Debt clearance alone would alter how the club plans contracts, squad depth, and long-term recruitment and how rivals perceive its position in the market.

Targeting the spine of the team

Rather than assembling a collection of stars, Barcelona’s most obvious needs lie along the team’s spine.

Up front, Erling Haaland has been widely described as a long-term reference point should Barcelona move on from Lewandowski. The Athletic has previously reported that Barcelona’s sporting department has discussed elite striker profiles for the post-Lewandowski era, even if Haaland’s Manchester City contract, which runs until 2034, makes any move highly improbable.

On the flanks, Nico Williams remains a long-standing target. ESPN and Marca reported last summer that Barcelona explored triggering the winger’s release clause before registration concerns halted the move. Williams instead extended his contract with Athletic Club until 2035.

With financial restrictions lifted, that pursuit would be significantly simpler though it would have knock-on effects for Marcus Rashford and Raphinha.

Midfield balance remains another unresolved issue. Sky Sports and BBC Sport have previously noted Barcelona’s interest in defensive midfield profiles as the club looks to reduce the burden on Pedri. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo fits that mould, though his £115 million move from Brighton in 2023 and long-term Chelsea contract make him an expensive and complex target.

Defensively, Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has been linked with Spain’s biggest clubs. L’Équipe and The Guardian have both reported on Real Madrid’s long-term interest in the French international, but a financially empowered Barcelona could present an alternative project, particularly if a leadership role is guaranteed.

Opportunity, scrutiny, and restraint

Any sudden influx of wealth would bring scrutiny alongside opportunity. Reuters has previously highlighted how La Liga and UEFA monitor ownership structures and competitive balance, meaning regulatory oversight would shape how aggressively Barcelona could act.

For now, the takeover discussions remain speculative. But if ownership does change, Barcelona would not need reinvention only precision. The foundations are already in place. What has been missing is the freedom to build on them.

Sources: Reuters, The Athletic, Marca, Sport, Mundo Deportivo, ESPN, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, L’Équipe, The Guardian