“Broke with expensive tastes” — Fans MOCK Barcelona amid PUMA kit deal talks as Nike’s €350m threat complicates negotiations

Puma is also willing to offer Barcelona with a special bonus if the club can get out of the sponsorship with Nike.

“Broke with expensive tastes” — Fans MOCK Barcelona amid PUMA kit deal talks as Nike’s €350m threat complicates negotiations

Barcelona and Puma have begun negotiations upon a new kit-sponsorship deal. (Image via Puma's official website and Barca store)

Spanish giants FC Barcelona and PUMA are reportedly on the verge of reaching an agreement that would be one of the most lucrative kit sponsorship deals. The Catalans are expected to receive approximately €200 million annually from the renowned German brand.

The news intensified after both parties involved themselves in negotiations over the past few weeks. If the talks yield a positive outcome, Puma would replace Nike as the long-time shirt sponsor for the Blaugrana. The La Liga side will receive at least €115 million a year, which may increase with incentives. Despite Barcelona’s existing contract with Nike extending until 2028, where they receive €155 million per year, recent reports suggest the club’s dissatisfaction with Nike’s quality and designs.

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Nike and Barcelona have had a long-standing kit partnership since 1998, replacing the Italian brand Kappa. However, the club now reportedly perceives the current deal as falling below the market value for a prominent football club. English kit manufacturers New Balance had also expressed interest.

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Nike believes that it will incur losses of €350 million if the club walks out in the agreement, and have no intention of absorbing such financial repercussions without compensation. The strained relationship between Nike and the Catalan club would need reconciliation, before a new sponsorship deal.

If Puma and Barcelona agreed to sign an agreement, it would be one of the highest-paid kit sponsorship deals in football. Blaugrana would overtake Puma’s deal with Premier League side Manchester City, and would also rival Adidas’ sponsorship with Real Madrid.

Netizens react to the news of Barcelona and Puma’s reported discussions over a lucrative kit-sponsorship deal

Internet users and football fans have mocked FC Barcelona amid recent speculations of negotiations with Puma for a significant kit sponsorship deal. Barcelona’s current kit sponsors, who have a deal up to 2028, have threatened the club with losses of around €350 million, insisting on compensation.

Nike and Barcelona 25 years
Nike and Barcelona have been associated with each other for the last 25 years. (Image via Marca)

Fans have reacted to the news of the reported discussion between the two parties, sharing their comments on social media. One fan criticized the club for having expensive tastes, despite facing significant financial challenges, while another labelled the club as ‘Broke-lona’ referring to the club’s immense financial struggles.

Here are some of the fans’ reactions:

Blaugrana fans have expressed their optimism regarding a potential deal with Puma, with many of them exclaiming that the kit would be really attractive. One fan described Barcelona as a complex club, both in terms of its on-field and off-field aspects.

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