August 23, (THEWILL) – Barcelona are still struggling to register several players for La Liga competition, even though the 2023/2024 season is already underway.
Defender Marcos Alonso, goalkeeper Inaki Pena, and summer signing, Inigo Martinez, remain unavailable for selection as the club works to get their contracts approved under financial regulations. The club’s financial issues have been well publicised in recent years, perhaps most notably with the high-profile departure of Lionel Messi two summers ago when his contract could not be registered.
Messi’s exit highlighted the difficulties Barcelona face balancing their books while trying to build a competitive squad. With the new season now started, Barcelona’s registration problems persist. Both Alonso and Pena agreed to new contracts earlier this year but have yet to be cleared to play. Meanwhile new signing Martinez is also unavailable as he recovers from injury.
The registration delays are symptomatic of wider financial limitations at Barcelona. The club continues trying to strengthen by pursuing deals like Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City, but structuring signings to comply with La Liga rules remains an obstacle.
With competitive games underway, La Blaugrana must find a solution quickly or risk key players missing out on crucial matches. It is yet another registration headache for the storied club as they aim to balance the books while regaining their standing as a European football powerhouse.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
