Racing Santander Challenges Barcelona in La Liga over Pablo Torre Sale
FC Barcelona’s recent transfer of Pablo Torre to Mallorca has led to a formal dispute with his former club, Racing de Santander. This disagreement has escalated to La Liga, focusing on the transfer fee and implications for potential earnings by Racing.
Transfer Details and Dispute
Pablo Torre departed Barcelona for Mallorca on July 14, after a challenging season under manager Hansi Flick. The reported transfer fee is €4.95 million, closely mirroring the €5 million Barcelona paid Racing de Santander in March 2022 when Torre initially joined the Catalan club. This similarity has infuriated Racing, as they believe it denied them a rightful capital gain from the transfer.
- Barcelona paid Racing €5 million in March 2022.
- Torre’s sale price to Mallorca was reported at €4.95 million.
Racing’s Allegations
Racing de Santander alleges that Barcelona’s pricing structure was intentionally devised to circumvent their claim for a share in any future profit. Club president Manolo Higuera announced during a shareholders’ meeting that formal action has been taken. He emphasized that Racing seeks to assert their economic rights concerning Torre’s transfer.
Statements from Racing Officials
Higuera stated, “We believe this operation was carried out in bad faith to harm a third party.” He clarified that the intention is not to instigate a conflict but to pursue what is rightfully theirs.
Contention Over Buyback Clause
A significant component of Racing’s argument revolves around a reported buyback clause. This clause indicates Barcelona could reacquire Torre for approximately €10 million, which Racing claims reflects his true market value. They argue this figure should be central to calculating any profit from the sale, which would justify a payout to them.
Barcelona’s Position
In contrast, Barcelona maintains that only the actual sale price to Mallorca should be considered for assessing any potential capital gain. This stance highlights a crucial divergence in interpretation between the two clubs.
Pablo Torre’s Performance
During his tenure at Barcelona, Torre’s contributions were limited. Of the various performance-related bonuses tied to his contract, only one was activated when he made ten appearances of at least 45 minutes. Ultimately, he played 27 matches, scoring five goals and assisting four times.
Current Status at Mallorca
Now with Mallorca and under coach Jagoba Arrasate, Torre aims to secure more regular playing time. This season, he has played in 17 matches across all competitions, contributing three assists over 778 minutes, averaging about 45 minutes per game.
Conclusion
The ongoing dispute between Racing de Santander and FC Barcelona regarding Pablo Torre’s transfer underscores the complexities often present in football transfers. As the situation unfolds, both clubs remain committed to their respective positions, reflecting the intricate nature of negotiations in the realm of professional football.
