How can Barça use Gavi’s salary to sign a replacement?
LaLiga’s new economic regulations open a window for clubs in the event of long-term injuries (four months or more). Barça must now decide whether to make one or two reinforcements in January.
Under LaLiga’s new economic regulations, clubs that have been affected by long-term injuries (four months or longer), can use 80% of the injured player’s salary in the transfer market. Effectively, this means that Barça could use that percentage of what Gavi is already earning with his new contract (believed to be around seven million euros per year) to sign a replacement. That 80% would cover the cost of one year of amortization of the new reinforcement (the price of the transfer or loan, plus the new signing’s wages).
Barcelona’s plan of action
Now, Barça’s sports commission (Joan Laporta, Rafa Yuste, Joan Soler, Deco, Masip and Bojan Krkic) must sit down with Xavi to discuss and draw up a strategy. Up until now, the priority in January was to make provisions for Vitor Roque’s arrival. Gavi’s long-term injury, together with the physical problems that other midfielders have had (De Jong, Pedri and Sergi Roberto), could change the strategy. It is also not out of the question that Barça could make two signings - the one they had planned plus a replacement for Gavi. Another option is to put all their eggs in one basket and try to sign a top player, which obviously would be a more expensive plan.
FIFA compensation package
The serious injury which Gavi suffered while on duty with Spain last night means that FIFA will also need to whip out their cheque book. The organization’s Club Protection Programme offers coverage for all professional players who have an employment contract with a professional football club and who have been ceded to their respective federation for international matches. So in Gavi’s case, from 16 December, when he will compete 28 days of authorized sick leave, FIFA must Barça for every day that the player remains on the casualty list.
The Club Protection Programme pays football clubs compensation of up to 7.5 million euros per player and accident. The figure is calculated based on a daily rate of up to 20,548 euros with a maximum of 365 days. It is estimated that Gavi will likely be out of action for a period of eight months although in the worst possible scenario, there is a chance that he could be sidelined for up to a year. If that is the case, FIFA would need to pay the maximum amount - 7.5 million euros. Compensation figures are based on the player’s basic, fixed salary.