• Barcelona plans a high-profile friendly in Peru this December to earn 7–8 million euros amid severe financial strain

• President Joan Laporta informs coach Hans Flick and players of the decision, overriding Christmas break, while negotiating with the Spanish players’ union

Barcelona president Joan Laporta informed the coach and players about the offer the club received to play in Peru, emphasizing that “the club’s wish is to accept it” due to the “huge financial payout.”

In a move reflecting the club’s dire financial reality, Barcelona is finalizing plans to play a demanding friendly match in Peru in December, securing a massive revenue between 7 and 8 million euros.

This decision prioritizes financial considerations over athletic or physical concerns and is part of Laporta’s urgent efforts to inject liquidity into the club’s debt-laden treasury, even if it means taxing the players and cutting into their Christmas break.

Financial Strain

It is no secret that Barcelona faces severe financial difficulties. Accumulated debts from years of mismanagement and inflated wage bills have put the club in a “strangling jacket” enforced by La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules.

This situation forced Laporta’s administration to seek radical financial solutions, including selling future club assets such as TV rights and stakes in club studios, just to generate immediate cash for player registration.

Despite some success in reducing the wage bill, the club still lacks financial flexibility. This directly impacts the transfer market: Barcelona can no longer compete for star signings and focuses on free transfers or selling players before acquiring others.

This financial strain is driving the club to actively seek any additional revenue, no matter how exhausting, explaining the push to complete the “Peru trip” to offset losses.

An Offer They Can’t Refuse

According to Spain’s Mundo Deportivo, the Peruvian offer is “irresistible” under current circumstances, particularly because Barcelona faces a financial “gap” caused by canceled plans that cost the club significant revenue. The biggest loss came from canceling a league match against Villarreal in Miami, which was expected to generate around 6 million euros.

Additionally, Barcelona declined another lucrative friendly in Libya on October 10. That offer would have provided around 5 million euros, but Barcelona, unlike Atlético Madrid which accepted a similar offer, refused citing “security reasons.”

After losing these revenues (6 million from Miami and 5 million from Libya), the Peruvian offer approaching 8 million euros became a financial lifeline Laporta could hardly ignore, regardless of sporting consequences.

Laporta Notifies Flick

Aware of the delicate situation, especially after the team’s painful Clasico loss, President Joan Laporta took action personally.

He met with team leaders, head coach Hans Flick, and sporting director Deco at the Joan Gamper training facility. While the meeting appeared to “encourage” the team after the defeat, its real purpose was to communicate the financial decision.

Laporta informed the coach and players about the Peruvian offer and made clear that “the club wishes to accept it” due to the “enormous financial sum.” In other words, the coaching staff and players were presented with a fait accompli: the club needs this money.

Christmas Break at Risk

The major challenge with this proposal is its timing. The offer requires the friendly to take place after the last league match before the holiday (Villarreal vs Barcelona on Saturday, December 20). This means players will not head home for Christmas but must travel thousands of kilometers to South America for a demanding match, then return.

This poses a huge logistical and physical challenge and sets the club on a potential collision course with player rights. Barcelona is currently negotiating with the Spanish players’ union (AFE) to clarify the final legal working day for players according to the collective agreement for the Christmas holiday.

The club is racing against time to resolve this dilemma, as the team’s first match of 2026 is scheduled for January 3 or 4 against Espanyol, leaving little room for rest if any break occurs.