How much have Barcelona spent on transfers under Joan Laporta?

Cameron Smith

• 14 Apr 2024 16:25 BST
• 4 min read

Barcelona can’t quite be considered a fallen giant, but their power in European football has waned in recent years.

The Blaugrana have not won the Champions League since 2015 and Xavi will be leaving his post as head coach at the end of the 2023-24 season after a tricky period for the club.

Just like their El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona are famously one of the only football clubs to be owned by club members (known as ‘socios’), while a president is elected to oversee everything. Joan Laporta is the current president.

READ MORE: How much have Real Madrid spent on transfers under Florentino Perez?

Laporta’s first spell at Barcelona ran from June 2003 to July 2010, while he was reinstated in March 2021 and has held the position ever since.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through how much Barcelona have spent during Laporta’s two presidency stints.

How much have Barcelona spent on transfers under Joan Laporta?

Barcelona have spent a total of €651.6 million on transfers during Joan Laporta’s two spells as president.

A huge €371.5m was spent during his first stint, while Barcelona have spent €280.1m in Laporta’s second stint so far.

Barca’s first major signing following Laporta’s first appointment was Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. The tricky attacker joined the Blaugrana from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of €32.3m in a major coup for Barcelona.

Deco, Thierry Henry and Dani Alves were among several other big names to join the Spanish giants during Laporta’s first spell.

The Spaniard’s second stint as Barcelona president began in tricky circumstances following Lionel Messi’s departure to PSG. His first window back was extremely disappointing from an arrival point of view too, as Emerson Royal was the most eye-catching new signing.

Barcelona’s biggest spending season with Laporta as president came in 2022-23. Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski and several youngsters joined the club for a combined €163.2m.

How much have Barcelona earned through sales under Joan Laporta?

Barcelona have earned a total of €316.1m through player sales during Laporta’s two spells at president.

€199.9m was earned during his first stint, while €116.2m has been earned in his second stint so far.

What is Barcelona’s net spend under Joan Laporta?

Barcelona’s net spend under Laporta is €335.5m.

Who are Barcelona’s most expensive signings under Joan Laporta?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Barcelona’s most expensive signing under Laporta. The Swedish striker joined the Blaugrana from Inter Milan for a fee of €69.5m in 2009.

Brazil winger Raphinha is second on the list, courtesy of his €58m transfer from Leeds United in 2022.

Ferran Torres (€55m) is Barcelona’s third most expensive signing during Laporta’s two presidency spells, while Jules Kounde (€50m) and Robert Lewandowski (€45m) complete the top five.

Who are Barcelona’s most expensive sales under Joan Laporta?

Ousmane Dembele is Barcelona’s most expensive sale under Laporta. The Frenchman left the Blaugrana to join PSG for a fee of €50m in 2023.

Ronaldinho is the second biggest Barcelona sale under Laporta. He joined AC Milan for a fee of €24.2m in 2008.

Samuel Eto’o (€20m) is Barcelona’s third most expensive sale during Laporta’s reign, while Antoine Griezmann (€20m) and Philippe Coutinho (€20m) complete the top five.