Saudi Arabia Proposes Landmark $10 Billion Bid to Acquire Barcelona FC

Barcelona is heading to Saudi Arabia for more than just football this January. Spanish media reports reveal that high-level club officials will meet with Saudi representatives during the Spanish Super Cup to discuss a massive €10 billion investment deal that could reshape the Catalan club's future.

The meetings are scheduled between January 7-11, 2026, while Barcelona competes in the Spanish Super Cup tournament hosted in Saudi Arabia. According to journalist François Gaillardo, Saudi officials plan to present a comprehensive proposal to acquire either full ownership of Barcelona or a 49% stake in the club for the staggering sum.

This isn't just any business meeting. Barcelona is drowning in debt, and this Saudi investment could pull them out of their financial crisis. The timing makes sense too - the Super Cup provides perfect cover for what could become the biggest deal in the club's history.

Saudi Arabia has been hosting the Spanish Super Cup since 2020, when the tournament expanded from a single match to a four-team competition. The Spanish Football Federation signed a contract running through 2029, making Saudi Arabia the tournament's regular home. Only the 2020-2021 edition was held in Spain due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Last year's final delivered drama when Barcelona crushed Real Madrid 5-2 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. That victory capped off Barcelona's domestic double - they won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey, while Real Madrid finished second in both competitions.

This year's tournament features the same format: Barcelona as league champions, Real Madrid as runners-up, plus third-placed Atletico Madrid and fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao. But the real action might happen in the boardrooms, not on the pitch.

The Saudi interest signals serious intent to invest in one of football's biggest brands. For Barcelona, it represents a potential lifeline from their financial troubles. For Saudi Arabia, it's another step in their sports investment strategy that's already transformed golf, boxing, and Formula 1.

The deal structure - whether full ownership or minority stake - remains unclear. But €10 billion would dwarf previous football acquisitions and set a new benchmark for club valuations. It would also give Saudi Arabia a foothold in European football's elite tier, something that money alone hasn't been able to buy through their domestic league investments.

Spanish football fans will watch closely. Barcelona's financial struggles have limited their ability to compete for top players and maintain their historic success. Saudi backing could change that equation overnight, but it would also mark the end of Barcelona's member-owned structure that has defined the club for over a century.