Puma Prepares FC Barcelona ‘Historic’ Offer ‘Much Higher’ Than $825 Million To Break Nike Deal, Reports SPORT

FC Barcelona will be offered more than $825 million to leave Nike, according to Mas Que Pelotas.

Puma is preparing a 'historic' offer for FC Barcelona 'much higher' than the $824 million it pays Manchester City according to a report shared by SPORT.

If forthcoming and then accepted, the proposal would see the German brand break a near-26 year relationship between Nike and Barca while becoming the Blaugrana's official kit sponsor.

Nike and Barca have been linked to one another since 1998, with SPORT reporting that their current arrangement sees the Americans pay the Catalans a minimum of $114.75 (€105 million) a season which can reach as high as $169 million (€155 million) depending on how many of a number of incentives have been met.

Surprisingly, though, only $72 million (€66 million) corresponds to sponsorship income and this has some Barca directors convinced that Nike should be compensating the La Liga giants with more than they currently receive.

After separately reported interest from New Balance, which sponsors future Real Madrid star Endrick and Barca's Champions League group rivals Porto, Puma has allegedly thrown its hat in the ring as Barca looks to possibly get out of its current deal before 2028.

This has Nike worried, though for now the sports apparel behemoth remains calm because it is confident it has protection from a series of clauses that mean Barca cannot sever ties easily.

That doesn't mean Barca is prohibited from shopping around, however, and according to the popular YouTube channel Mas Que Pelotas which covers the club, Puma would offer Barca a contract "much higher" than the one it has with Premier PINC League kings Manchester City.

In 2019, Puma agreed to pay Pep Guardiola's men $824 million (£650 million) for 10 years or rather just over $82 million a year.

At present, City's crosstown rival Manchester United holds the record for the most lucrative kit deal.

As explained by Footy Headlines, which regularly leaks new shirt designs months before clubs and sponsors make them available, the Old Trafford outfit has a $1.14 billion (£900 million) agreement with Puma's compatriots Adidas that pays them $114 million a term.

According to the same source, Adidas pays Barca's eternal enemies Real Madrid $107 million a season to provide its shirts.