What is going on at Barcelona?The Spanish club have found itself in deep financial trouble recently, highlighted by the fact they were unable to renew the contract of club legend Lionel Messi in the summer of 2021.It soon emerged they were unable to pay their own players their full salaries and needed the squad to take pay cuts or defer their wages for a later date.Despite that, the club continued to bring in new players with Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore all arriving.And they haven't stopped this summer with Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie coming in on a free transfer while they've just spent around £52.2 million on Raphinha from Leeds.

How are they affording to do this if they can barely pay the wages of their current players?

Well, there's a theory they can't actually afford it.

A Twitter thread has looked to explore the real danger Barcelona are truly in.

Writer Kristian Sturt has given his opinion on how 'Barcelona could cease to exist in a few years time'.

It's an alarming read for every football fan.

It starts:

"It's my opinion that FC Barcelona are in real trouble financially, and I feel as though the footballing world isn't talking about the seriousness of their current situation enough.

"We may be years away from a world without FC Barcelona.

"Here's why, a thread":

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Conclusion

It really is a worrying state of affairs at Camp Nou right now.

There's a mention of Frenkie de Jong in the thread with the midfielder heavily linked to Manchester United in a deal worth £55 million. Barcelona seemingly need this transfer to go through to help their financial worries.

However, it's reported Barca owe De Jong £17 million in deferred wages.

Quite what happens next at Barcelona is unknown but it's clear they're getting pretty desperate. And as Kristian Sturt asks at the end of his thread:

  • What if Barca don't make Europe?
  • What if players fight back against deferred wages?
  • What if loyal players refuse to accept cuts?
  • What if Pjanic and Umtiti can't be offloaded?
  • What if De Jong deal collapses?

Any one of those could see the end of FC Barcelona.

Imagine football without Blaugrana.

One of the greatest teams in the history of the game.

Lionel Messi. Xavi. Andres Iniesta. Pep Guardiola. Johan Cruyff. Ronaldinho.

It can't end this way.