Latest news with #transferactivity
Times
a day ago
- Business
- Times
Are Barcelona Women in decline — and are the men's team to blame?
Is European women's football's greatest power crumbling? Barcelona have dominated the continent over the past five seasons — winning three Champions League titles with a star-studded squad — but this summer's transfer activity suggests they are in decline as the wider consequences of the financial problems afflicting the men's team become more apparent. Eight players have left, including the decorated Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfo, 31, who joined Manchester United on a free transfer on Friday, and the academy product Jana Fernández, 23, a high-profile signing for the Women's Super League's newest side, London City Lionesses. Meanwhile, Barcelona have made only one signing, Laia Aleixandri, on a free transfer from Manchester City. Fernández's departure means Barcelona now have only 17 senior squad members. The club still have a formidable first-choice XI — ten of the 15 Spain players to feature in the Euro 2025 final came from Barcelona, for instance — but they lack the depth that has characterised their dominance. Certainly, they are not spending sums akin to Arsenal and Chelsea, who have both broken the women's transfer record this year. What is going on? Are Barcelona scaling back their commitment to women's football? 'It sends a really bad message that women's football is second grade, that the men's comes first,' says Christina Philippou, professor in accounting and sport finance at the University of Portsmouth. Their approach is tricky to rationalise. Barcelona Women's annual revenue of €17.9million (about £15.4million) put them top of Deloitte's 2025 Money League and they made a profit of €604,000 for the 2023-24 season. 'It doesn't seem in line with what you would do with a business at the top of a market that is massively growing,' Philippou says. 'We've seen a lot of brands entering women's football that have never gone into football before. So it's a really weird time to start effectively gutting your team.' In Barcelona's defence, La Liga's rules are not helping. Unlike in the Premier League, where women's team expenditure is not part of Profitability and Sustainability Rules calculations, the financial regulations of the men's top flight in Spain take into account spending on the women's side. This rule hinders Barcelona for two reasons. First, La Liga factors in spending not only from women's football teams, but all of a club's sports teams. Barcelona have basketball, handball, futsal and roller hockey sections. 'Being a multi-sport club is socially positive, but economically it can be a burden,' Irene Guevara, a Barcelona-based sports journalist for El Pais, says. Second, Barcelona are in economic strife, with high wages, the incomplete redevelopment of the Nou Camp and mismanagement contributing to the problem. In 2021 the Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, announced that the club had debts of €1.35billion. Since then La Liga has imposed additional spending restrictions on Barcelona and delayed the registration of new signings — which was again evident in the case of Marcus Rashford's loan from Manchester United. The club have breached Uefa rules too. All the while, Barcelona have pulled their infamous economic 'levers'. Some 475 VIP seats at the yet-to-open renovated Camp Nou have been sold, as have shares in the club's digital businesses. On Wednesday Barcelona board members agreed to emergency financial action that involved risking personal wealth to form a bank guarantee of €7million. Barcelona are thought to have pushed for La Liga's rules to change, but for now, cutting women's team spending would help them drop towards the spending cap. 'All sections, including the men's team, are tightening belts to meet La Liga's economic requirements,' Guevara says. Considering Barcelona women's profit for 2023-24, such a policy feels harsh. 'The part [of Barcelona] that makes the most money is men's football, but I think it is very unfair that due to financial problems of the men's squad, the women's football team and other teams are impacted,' Oriol Alsina, a Barcelona-based journalist for Radiotelevision Espanola, says. 'Barcelona's interest [in women's football] is permanent, but I think the lower investment is due to La Liga pressure.' Yet the rules, which La Liga's clubs establish through a vote, could be merely an excuse for Barcelona to hide behind. According to the club's 2023-24 financial report, women's team expenditure was €16.7million, compared with €439.8million for the men. 'The savings made by routing this team are very close to negligible, and you're losing out on potential high-growth revenue,' Philippou says. Of course, their team is still incredible and includes Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, who have won the past four Ballons d'Or between them. But several key players, including Putellas, are out of contract next summer. There is a sense that the frugal spending of 2025 could help to renew deals in 2026, but will they all want to stick around? Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa), Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh (both Chelsea) all left for the Women's Super League in the past year, and others, such as Bonmatí, have praised the women's game in England. The Spanish league is less competitive and, based on last season's Champions League final defeat by Arsenal, Barcelona are no longer invincible in Europe. Further departures would bolster Barcelona's rivals, especially those in England, but the demise of an all-conquering team would harm a sport undergoing rapid but unequal growth. 'We already have an elite bunch in the Champions League,' Philippou says. 'That creates less jeopardy and interest. 'If one of the best teams starts having issues, then competitive balance becomes even more of a problem.'
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Inside Leeds United Q&A: Beren Cross answers your questions ahead of the season starting
Leeds United return to the Premier League by taking on Everton on Monday night. It has been a long summer following promotion, with plenty of transfer activity and changes to the squad. There has been a behind-closed-doors pre-season training camp, matches in Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, and plenty more going on behind the scenes. Ahead of the campaign kicking off, Beren Cross will be answering your questions right here on The Athletic's website and app. Join Beren between 1pm BST (8am ET) and 2pm BST (9am ET), where he will be answering your questions below. Beren Cross Aug. 18, 2025 7:00 am EDT
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
🎧 All eyes on Europa
BBC Radio Nottingham's Forest commentator Colin Fray previews the season and assesses the club's transfer activity, stressing the importance of squad depth following confirmation that Forest will compete in the Europa League."Forest have started this summer wanting to be a lot stronger in depth than last season, needing to be a lot stronger in depth than last season, but at the moment they are not," says Fray. Fray also speaks to Forest's new winger, Dan Ndoye, and you can listen to the whole chat on Shut Up And Show More Football. Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Daily Mail
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Don't panic! Scales isn't worried by lack of Celtic transfer activity as Champions League play-off looms
As the Celtic supporters' buses wind their way north this morning, there will be no shortage of angst and exasperation on board. Not for the first time followers of the Scottish champions are more than a little underwhelmed by the summer transfer activity at their club. Combined with the ongoing uncertainty over the future of manager Brendan Rodgers as he enters the final season of his contract, it adds up to a less than joyful mood among the punters. That can't be of any concern to the Celtic players who face Aberdeen at Pittodrie as they continue their defence of the Premiership title. While Liam Scales is appreciative of the fans' current perspective, he is confident their fears will prove unfounded. The Irish defender believes the Celtic squad are already in a robust position which leaves them capable of achieving their ambitions for the campaign ahead, irrespective of whether any more new faces are added before the transfer window closes on September 1. 'I understand that fans can be anxious to get new signings in,' said Scales. 'It's always exciting but these things take time. I don't know what's going on up above but I do know that, after being involved in transfers in the past, it's never as straightforward as fans think. 'I'm definitely comfortable with the squad at the moment. We have strengthened and brought in players. We had good games in pre-season and I think that's shown. 'We have a strong squad and every day on the training pitch the level is constantly improving because those standards are being driven. As a squad, I think all the players feel we're strong and we're just raring to go. 'I think we're in a good place and if one or two more (players) are added before the end of the window, brilliant. If not, we're still really strong.' Scales faces fresh competition for his own place at the heart of Celtic's defence following the season-long loan acquisition of highly-rated England youth cap Jahmai Simpson-Pusey from Manchester City. It's a challenge relished by Scales who began the season alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers in last week's 1-0 home win over St Mirren, with Auston Trusty on the bench. Having become a pretty regular first-team starter in the past two years under Rodgers, Scales is optimistic he can maintain that status. 'At the start of every season and in every transfer window, the manager is always looking to bring in players to strengthen the squad and you can't ever get complacent at this club,' said the 27-year-old. On-loan Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey will add to Celtic's options 'So I think that does help to keep everyone in every position at the top of the game because there's always going to be someone capable who can play in your position. 'It's really good for the dressing room and for the standards of the club, so it's definitely not a negative thing for me. 'The manager is brilliant. I've learned a lot from him and I really enjoy playing for him. 'It's been a really good two past seasons for me, so I'm just hoping to continue that and keep playing for him and keep doing the jobs that he asked me to do. It's been probably the best couple of years of my career and I'm just hoping it continues the way it has.' Scales is keen for Rodgers to extend his tenure at Celtic but remains in the dark over the manager's situation. 'I definitely want him to stay, I really enjoy playing for him, so the longer I can do that the better,' he added. 'But that's out of my hands, I don't know much about it. 'For me, the message from the manager is always clear, you can't question anything, it's always clear, it's always straight to the point. 'I've found that it's either a choice of following his instructions or not and I've been better off doing what he's said and doing what's been asked of me. 'That's helped me a lot because, as a player, it makes it simple. If you know your job, you know your role exactly how the manager wants it to be. 'I think his communication has been brilliant to get his point across, that has helped me improve as a player and I think playing games under him I've become more comfortable in that sense, so I think that would be a massive strength of his.' Scales is eagerly anticipating today's test at Pittodrie where he spent a productive season on loan with Aberdeen in 2022-23. It's Celtic's first meeting with the Dons since losing the Scottish Cup final on penalties to Jimmy Thelin's side at Hampden in May but Scales is adamant that revenge will not be their primary motivation. Celtic captain Callum McGregor in tears after suffering Hampden heartbreak against the Dons 'Listen, I think I speak for everyone here in saying it hurt to lose that game the way we did,' he said. 'But we've had time to get over it in the summer and it's a new season now. We're just excited to do all we can to win as much as we can this year, so that defeat is in the past now. 'At this club, you don't need any more motivation than what we already get week in and week out from the staff to the players. 'There's a massive drive to win and it comes from the fans as well. 'So I don't think we need any more motivation for this game against Aberdeen, it was just a sore one in the cup final. 'It happens in football, you can't win every game, you can't win every trophy, so we're all past it now. But we're ready to start this new season the best possible way.'
The Independent
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Chelsea transfer news: Xavi Simons, Jorrel Hato, Morgan Rogers, Rodrygo and more
Though a successful Club World Cup campaign sees Chelsea return from the USA as world champions, the Blues are not expected to slow down their transfer activity ahead of the new season starting in August. The club began the summer transfer windows with their usual vigour and have already completed the signings of Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap, while adding Joao Pedro in time for the Brazilian to score in the Club World Cup final against PSG. Enzo Maresca 's side are preparing for a jaunt into the Champions League next season after finishing fourth in the English top-flight and winning the Conference League in a busy term. Some fans will feel the Blues still have work to do in the summer, with a bulking of the squad needed in some areas to provide the quality demanded by Europe's elite club competition. There is no shortage of funds at Stamford Bridge, with big-money moves a constant fixture of recent transfer windows, and this summer is set to be no different. Here's everything you need to know about Chelsea's summer transfer plans. Arrivals & areas to improve The first port of call for Chelsea this summer was a new winger, as the club decided not to make the deal for Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho permanent. The signing of Jamie Gittens means they have a direct replacement for Sancho, though the departure of Noni Madueke means the club may decide to dip back into the market for another wing profile. Cole Palmer may have shown his attacking quality in the Club World Cup final, scoring two of Chelsea's goals, though he lacked consistency over recent months – highlighted by the fact that he scored just once in the last 20 games of the 2024/25 term – and he clearly needs some help carrying the goalscoring and creative burden. The purchases of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro should go some way to doing just that, with Pedro especially already showing his worth during the Club World Cup. Elsewhere, a bolstering of their goalkeeping ranks could be in order, with a new central defender potentially required if transfers out of the club fall into place. Done deals Ins: Joao Pedro (Brighton, £60m), Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund, £48.5m), Liam Delap (Ipswich Town, £30m), Estevao (Palmeiras, £29m), Dario Essugo (Sporting Lisbon, £18.5m), Kendry Paez (Independiente, £17.5m), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg, £11.9m) Outs: Noni Madueke (Arsenal, £48.5m), Djordje Petrovic (Bournemouth, £25m) Kepa Arrizabalaga (Arsenal, £5m), Jadon Sancho (Manchester United, end of loan), Bashir Humphreys (Burnley, £14.7m), Marcus Bettinelli (Manchester City, nominal fee), Mathis Amougou (Strasbourg, undisclosed), Lucas Bergstrom (out of contract), Mike Penders (Strasbourg, loan) Potential targets Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Leipzig sensation Xavi Simons. Talks have accelerated between the two clubs over a potential move, with it now expected a formal offer will be submitted in the coming days. This comes as Joao Felix prepares to leave the club, with a move to Al-Nassr said to be agreed, while Christopher Nkunku could also depart this summer. Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United Chelsea were interested in bringing Man Utd winger Garnacho to Stamford Bridge in January, though a move failed to materialise and the Argentinian winger was also linked to Napoli. However, with the Italian champions cooling their interest, Garnacho having stated his desire to stay in the Premier League and Chelsea selling Noni Madueke, the Blues could go back in for the 21-year-old. Jorrel Hato, Ajax Fresh reports are linking the Blues with a move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, who can play at left-back and centre-back. The Dutch giants are said to want £40m for the 19-year-old, with Chelsea supposedly having held informal talks to explore a move. Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa The Blues are known admirers of Morgan Rogers, according to The Athletic. It is not known if they deem his position as a necessary addition to the squad at this moment, but that profile of player could certainly add something different in attack while easing the burden on Palmer and co. Reports continue to link them with the 22-year-old, though there is nothing concrete in terms of an offer or approach yet. Mike Maignan, AC Milan Chelsea originally seemed to have one goalkeeping option in mind, with the club targeting Maignan before the Club World Cup, though it is unknown if they may come back in for the 29-year-old French shot-stopper. He kept 12 clean sheets in Serie A last season, but reports are suggesting that the Blues could be disappointed with a new contract potentially convincing him to stay in Italy. Rodrygo, Real Madrid With the departure of Madueke confirmed, expect links to wingers to become increasingly visible in the next few days and weeks. One such link is for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who is said to be surplus to requirements at Los Blancos. Rumours persist linking the Brazilian to Liverpool, Arsenal and the Blues, as well as Man City.
