ARA: Nike and Barcelona strike 100 million euro kit deal
FC Barcelona have reportedly reached a succulent new agreement with Nike which could be made official in the coming weeks, according to Diario Ara.
The agreement between the Azulgrana and the multinational company is said to be worth 100 million euros including variables. This figure would go above the amount Manchester United agreed with Adidas last season, which is worth 96 million euros including variables, and would make Barça the best paid club in the world.
Nike’s interest in renewing with Barcelona grew after they missed out to their rivals when it came to renewing with the English club. The ‘loss’ of another big team would not have been good for the American company, which is why negotiations sped up in recent weeks.
Nike are also said to have struck a deal with Chelsea, who announced they will leave their deal with Adidas six years early - they have even paid a penalty to break the deal they had until 2023. The Daily Telegraph say the Blues will double their annual income from 40 million euros to 80 million euros.
The imminent signing of this mega-deal with Nike would go some way to justifying, ARA continue, the lack of urgency Josep Maria Bartomeu has shown when it comes to finding a new shirt sponsor. As of now, the Catalan club don’t have a sponsor for the front of their shirts next season.
