Barcelona are currently in a favorable position to defend their La Liga title, sitting at the top of the 2025-26 La Liga table with 46 points from 18 matches. However, they received a big blow earlier this weekend in the form of a long-term injury to a first-team player.
And now, a report has claimed that Barcelona could sign a replacement for the injured star.
Barcelona Could Make Most of La Liga Rule After Injury
Earlier on Sunday, Dec. 21, Barcelona announced that Andreas Christensen is set to be out of action after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a training session. They did not provide an exact return date for the former Chelsea centre-back.
According to SPORT (via Barca Universal), the Hansi Flick-coached team could exceed its squad registration limit to sign a replacement if Christensen is injured for over four months. If La Liga’s Medical Commission provides a favorable report, the Catalans will be permitted to use 80% of Christensen’s current salary cost to register a new player next month.
Furthermore, La Liga rules state that the potential replacement must be an outfield player, and not a goalkeeper. The rules also state that a club must prove its financial capacity to sign a new player if the star’s contract ends after the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.
Christensen, who allegedly has a release clause of $586 million, has started just four of his 17 total appearances for Barcelona this term. His absence is expected to be covered by Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin, a versatile left-back, in the heart of the Blaugrana’s defence.
Barcelona Star Elated After Helping in Recent 2–0 Win
Following Barcelona’s 2-0 La Liga win at Villarreal, Blaugrana goalkeeper Joan Garcia stated that he was delighted to help his new club maintain their lead atop the league standings.
“We knew it was very important to get the three points in the last game of the year. We did it and we finished the first half of the season as leaders. There is still a long way to go, but we had this goal, and we achieved it. When a team is down to 10 men, it always makes things easier for you,” Garcia said (via Barca Universal).
READ MORE: Barcelona Fans Urge Club To Sign $65 Million Defender
Opining on his five saves against Villarreal, Garcia commented, “I try to save the ones that come my way. Some days I can do it, and other days I can’t. Today, luckily, we kept a clean sheet and I’m very happy. (My start to life at Barcelona has been) very positive, both on a personal and collective level.”
Garcia, who left RCD Espanyol in a $29 million deal earlier this summer, has registered six clean sheets and conceded just 14 goals in 15 overall outings for Barcelona this season.
