Gerard Pique is reportedly willing to help finance the renovations of Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium after the club lost £88million as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The idea to redevelop the ground by increasing its capacity to 105,000 was first proposed in 2014 when the club’s budget was £542m, but the estimated final cost is as much as £740m.
Barca’s finances have taken a huge hit during the coronavirus pandemic and Radio Marca report that long-serving defender Pique has offered to act as an intermediary between the club and other companies willing to fund the project and also shown an interest in outsourcing projects.
Pique has history in generating business for the Catalans and played key role in the current sponsorship deal with Rakuten.
Goldman Sachs are in charge of financing the project, which the club predict will generate an income of £150m per year.
Barca’s money troubles have been well documented with their latest figures showing a huge £88m loss as well as a net debt that has doubled to more than £440m.
The club’s revenues were down 19 per cent from the previous year, by £123m, as fans have been unable to attend matches due to Covid-19 safety measures.
Barca have also been hurt by the huge drop in tourism in the city, which has affected its income from its museum, which usually receives 1.2 million visitors per year, and from merchandising.
It is hoped work on the stadium will begin in January 2021 with the estimation it will take five years to complete.
COMMENTS