Barcelona could reportedly face a potentially disastrous law if they fail to resolve the Dani Olmo saga.
Olmo joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig in the summer in a £47 million deal, but could only be registered on a temporary basis until the end of 2024 due to LaLiga's ongoing financial constraints for Barcelona.
The Catalan giants sought to re-register the attacking midfielder so he can play for them after December 31, while they also sought to renew the registration of his teammate Pau Victor.
However, LaLiga issued a statement on New Year's Eve confirming that they have rejected Barcelona's proposal to register Olmo and Victor, leaving the star's future uncertain – with the Spanish midfielder set to leave on a free transfer if the situation is not resolved.
Mail Sport reported last week how Olmo is signing interesting players from several Premier League clubs, with his agent Andy Bara spending time in Manchester amid ongoing uncertainty over his client.
Bara has claimed that the player's intention is to 'stay at Barcelona' and that they are 'not considering any other option'.
However, if Barcelona fail to register Olmo, the Catalan giants could face a disastrous bill that would have dire consequences for a club that has been in constant financial trouble in recent years.
Spanish side Mundo Deportivo have reported that Barcelona would still be obliged to pay RB Leipzig the full £47 million fee agreed when they signed the attacking midfielder in the summer.
And even if he leaves, Olmo would still be entitled to the £41million in wages he is owed for the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2030.
Elsewhere, Olmo's market value is currently estimated at £53 million, according to Transfermarkt, but given that the 26-year-old is eligible to leave on a free transfer, Barcelona would miss out on any potential transfer fee if he leaves.
Meanwhile, Barcelona tried to plug the financial gap they face by selling VIP boxes at the Camp Nou, which is being renovated.
This generated an estimated £87 million in revenue, although Goal reported that some experts believe the club could have received double that amount had the sale process not been rushed in an attempt to sign Olmo.
Considering the transfer fee, wages, Olmo's market value and unfulfilled revenue, this means Barcelona could lose a total of £218m in total.
This is a huge blow for the Catalan giants and raises several questions about their attempts to balance the books in the coming years, while also putting the position of president Joan Laporta under further scrutiny.
Nevertheless, reports claim that Barcelona remain optimistic that they can resolve the situation in the coming days.
Mundo Deportivo reported that there is confidence within Barcelona that if they can prove full payments for the VIP boxes, LaLiga will allow them to register both Olmo and Victor.
They are in a race against time, but there is a belief at Camp Nou that Barcelona will have all the documents in order by Friday.
Hansi Flick's side are back in action on Saturday when they travel to lower-league Barbastro in the Copa Del Rey and it remains to be seen whether Olmo will be involved.