Saudi Arabia Linked to Sensational €10 Billion Takeover Rumor of FC Barcelona
December 14, 2025
A dramatic and unverified rumor has shaken Spanish football and ignited fierce debate among FC Barcelona supporters worldwide. According to claims circulating online, Saudi Arabia could be preparing an unprecedented €10 billion bid to acquire the Catalan club — a move that would represent one of the most controversial ownership shifts in modern football.
The Origin of the Rumor
The story emerged from a post published on X by François Gallardo, a former pundit on the Spanish television program El Chiringuito. Gallardo claimed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is allegedly considering a massive offer to buy FC Barcelona outright.
According to Gallardo, the supposed bid would aim to erase Barcelona’s mounting financial liabilities, with the club’s debt estimated at more than €2.5 billion. He suggested that the move is only a matter of time, despite expected resistance from supporters.
As of now, no major Spanish or international media outlet has confirmed this information, and FC Barcelona has made no official comment.
A Club Owned by Its Members
Any potential takeover faces a fundamental obstacle: FC Barcelona is owned by its members, known as socios. Unlike most elite European clubs, Barça is not a private company and cannot be sold under its current legal structure.
For a sale to become possible, the club would need to abandon its member-owned model and convert into a Sports Public Limited Company. Such a transformation would require approval through a vote by the socios — a highly sensitive and uncertain process.
Financial Pressure Fuels Speculation
Barcelona’s financial crisis remains one of the most serious in European football. Years of heavy spending, declining revenues, and costly infrastructure projects have left the club under intense economic strain.
This situation has fueled speculation about external rescue scenarios, especially as Saudi Arabia continues to expand its footprint in global sports through major investments in football, golf, and motorsport.
While some fans view Saudi-backed ownership as a potential solution to stabilize the club, others see it as a direct threat to Barcelona’s identity, democratic governance, and historical values.
Viral Impact, No Official Confirmation
Despite the absence of verification, the rumor has gained massive traction on social media, generating millions of views and intense discussion. Supporters remain deeply divided between financial pragmatism and cultural preservation.
Gallardo has since claimed that additional details will be revealed soon, promising a more detailed statement in the coming days. Until then, skepticism remains high.
What Comes Next?
At this stage, the alleged €10 billion takeover remains purely speculative. Any change in ownership would require an extraordinary legal, political, and cultural shift within FC Barcelona.
For now, fans wait cautiously — torn between hopes of financial salvation and fears of losing what makes the club unique.
As long as official sources remain silent, this story should be treated with caution. However, given Barcelona’s fragile finances and Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in world football, the rumor is unlikely to fade quickly.
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