According to AS, discussions between Barcelona and Qatar Airways over a new sponsorship deal have temporarily broken down.
The Middle East airline’s executives are still reportedly pondering the possibility of extending their relationship with Barca, although money is not an issue for the company as shown by the €35m the Catalans have been receiving per season, a figure that is €115m more than is poured into the entire Primera division as a whole by BBVA.
With negotiations at a standstill, La Blaugrana have been required to start ordering logo-free strips for next season, with the club’s kit manufacturer Nike needing to be compensated.
It is understood Barca have two other attractive offers on the table, yet the reason the Qataris are playing their cards close to their chest is that La Liga executives, headed by Javier Tebas, have held talks in Qatar about a possible deal for the Gulf State to become La Primera’s main sponsor.
More importantly, La Liga and Barca cannot share the same sponsor, but sources at the Camp Nou say meetings between La Liga officials and the Qataris are being scrutinised, although they are seen as scare tactics by the latter in order to pressure the Spanish giants into agreeing to their terms.
