Barcelona are set to spend a whopping €470m on salaries this season – that’s €20m more than Real Madrid have forecast for the 2017-18 campaign.

Following the high-profile sale of Neymar to PSG – Barca’s wage purse has increased by nearly €50m compared to last season.

Barca’s overall budget amounts to €897m, a rise from €695m, but that’s down to a €147m profit over the €222m departure fee of Neymar and a saving of €30m on his salary.

Despite the signings of Ousmane Dembele, Nelson Semedo, Gerard Deulofeu and Paulinho – Barca are still saving on annual salaries – and that in itself represents significant financial success.

This is hammered home by the fact that their overall budget last season was €695m.

In essence, Barca have more funds in the kitty to tempt players with if they wish to make movements in the transfer market in January – or indeed, looks to extend deals for the likes of Andres Iniesta.

While Blaugrana hold the edge over the Whites in the salary department this season, Real Madrid are in a healthy position and have €20m extra to splash on salaries this coming year – which could have been behind their contract extensions for Marcelo and Isco.

Official financial data from both La Liga giants is set to be presented on September 19.