Barcelona have grudgingly conceded they had to take out a huge £31.5million loan to complete the signing of Antoine Griezmann for £108m.
The move shows they will struggle to re-sign former player Neymar, who they sold to French giants Paris Saint-Germain for a world record £195m in 2017.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed the financial situation around signing the France international was not straightforward.
He said: “The club has taken out a six-month unsecured loan for €35m and the remaining €85m [is funded by] anticipating payments yet to be received.”
Barca have essentially used the fact that they are guaranteed payments for the players they have sold to leverage buying Antoine Griezmann.
The Spanish giants bought out the 28-year-old forward’s contract by making the payment at La Liga’s offices.
Barcelona then unveiled Griezmann in their new shirt — but Atletico Madrid released a statement saying they had “begun appropriate procedures” against their League rivals.
Atletico Madrid supporters vandalised his plaque at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in anger.
The striker has signed a five-year deal which includes a £720million release clause.
He then joined the squad in training, only to get nutmegged twice — but immediately he saw the funny side of it.
According to reports, Barcelona are now a staggering £800m in debt, which suggests they may need to sell some players in order to get back what they owe.
