Gündoğan Among Several Yet to Be Registered Ahead of Barcelona’s Crucial Season Opener
Barcelona’s summer rebuild is once again colliding with the harsh realities of La Liga’s financial rules. Despite announcing marquee signings and presenting them proudly at the Camp Nou, the club still finds itself in a familiar crisis: several new arrivals, including German midfielder İlkay Gündoğan, remain unregistered ahead of the team’s crucial season opener.
This situation has become almost synonymous with the Catalan giants in recent years. Each summer, headlines celebrate Barcelona’s pull in the transfer market—convincing top talents to wear the famous blaugrana jersey. Yet, the celebratory mood often turns to frustration as La Liga’s strict salary cap regulations prevent those same players from stepping onto the pitch. Gündoğan, who left Manchester City fresh from winning the treble, is the most high-profile name currently stuck in limbo. For a player of his experience and quality, the delay feels both awkward and symbolic of Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles.
Club insiders suggest the issue lies not in intent but in balance sheets. Barcelona has been working tirelessly to reduce its bloated wage bill and activate financial “levers” that can generate immediate revenue. While progress has been made, the league’s oversight body has not yet cleared the new contracts, leaving Xavi Hernández with uncertainty in his squad planning.
The manager has not hidden his frustration. In press conferences, he insists that the sporting project is clear, the players are motivated, and the vision for the future is ambitious. But vision without registration papers is powerless. As Xavi prepares his tactical lineup for the opener, he must draw contingency plans in case star signings are unavailable. For a coach under pressure to deliver silverware, the uncertainty cuts deep.
For Gündoğan, the wait is especially uncomfortable. At 32, he joined Barcelona not just to enjoy Spain’s climate but to cement his legacy at another historic club. His leadership, technical skill, and calm presence in midfield were expected to fill the void left by veterans like Sergio Busquets. Instead, he is watching from the sidelines, his competitive debut hanging in the balance.
The fans, too, are restless. Social media buzzes with calls for swift resolution, as supporters fear déjà vu of last season’s registration drama. The club’s credibility in the transfer market remains strong, but its credibility in administration and compliance is questioned again and again. “How can a giant of world football still be in this position?” many ask.
Still, optimism remains part of Barcelona’s DNA. Executives are confident that the financial paperwork will be finalized in time. Sources close to the board insist that all signings, including Gündoğan, will be eligible before the deadline. Yet the clock ticks, and until official confirmation arrives, uncertainty rules the headlines.
In the coming days, Barcelona will either silence critics by registering its stars or face another wave of doubt about its long-term stability. For now, the spotlight shines on Gündoğan—not for his passes, goals, or trophies, but for the bureaucratic battle that keeps him waiting
