Robert Lewandowski cleared to make Barca debut after club trigger final 'economic lever'

Kessie, Christensen and Raphinha also now available to face Rayo Vallecano but Kounde remains unregistered with La Liga

Robert Lewandowski warms up with Barcelona teammates on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP

Barcelona's new signing Robert Lewandowski arrives to DRV PNK Stadium for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP

Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, Sergino Dest and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP

Former NFL player Chad Johnson greets Robert Lewandowski at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.AFP

Robert Lewandowski at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. AFP

Robert Lewandowski trained with his Barcelona teammates in Florida on Tuesday. Getty

Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP

Robert Lewandowski moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich. AFP

Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas greets Robert Lewandowski. AFP

Robert Lewandowski and Gerard Pique of Barcelona look on from the bench during the friendly against Inter Miami. AFP

Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona with Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami. AFP

Barcelona have registered four of their new players including marquee signing Robert Lewandowski in time for their first match of the new La Liga season on Saturday.

Midfielder Franck Kessie, defender Andreas Christensen and forward Raphinha are also now available to face Rayo Vallecano. However, defender Jules Kounde remains unregistered with La Liga.

Barca have spent an estimated €153 million on transfer fees this summer — despite well-publicised financial problems — with Lewandowski's capture from Bayern Munich the most impressive.

The Catalan club had to meet La Liga's salary cap to register their new signings but several "economic levers" including new investment deals released funding after the final lever was triggered.

Barcelona would have to free up so-called salary mass to register 23-year-old France defender Kounde, according to Marca.

"So in the next few days, players in the squad will have to leave," claimed the daily.

Kounde joined at the end of July from La Liga rivals Sevilla on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €50 million, with €10m in bonuses.

There have been a string of departures out of Camp Nou, including Philippe Coutinho, Oscar Mingueza and, more surprisingly, Riqui Puig, while Barca also hope to sell Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United, though the player is reluctant to leave.

La Liga restrictions also affected players who renewed deals in the close season but forward Ousmane Dembele and defensive midfielder Sergi Roberto have now also been registered.

Barcelona have been using several mechanisms to increase their revenue in order to offset losses, reduce debt and fulfil La Liga's financial fair play rules.

The club said on Friday they had sold a 24.5 per cent stake in their audiovisual studio to production company Orpheus Media for €100 million ($102.58 million) to raise funds.

Barca last month signed a deal with digital fan token firm Socios.com to sell 25 per cent of their stake in Barca Studios.

Barcelona have already sold 25 per cent of their domestic television rights for the next quarter of a century to US investment firm Sixth Street for some €400 million.

The biggest summer transfers