Barcelona in talks with Qatar Airways

The Primera Liga club Barcelona is discussing an €18-million-a-year shirt sponsorship deal with the Middle Eastern airways. So far no details of the agreement have been formally announced to the board as it is suspected that senior club members may disapprove of a sponsor from outside of Catalonia. If the offer is accepted it will be the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in history, surpassing German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich’s €17 million partnership with telecommunications firm Telekom. President Joan Laporta has repeatedly stressed the importance of the club's roots to fans and potential partners but has angered fellow junta members by holding talks with companies such as Austrian Internet firm Betandwin.com and Japanese electrical goods manufacturers Hitachi. Even American computer giant Apple has been mentioned in connection with the Azulgrana. However, reaching an agreement with a Catalan-linked firm is proving problematic. Telefonica Movistar, Estrella Damm beer and La Caixa bank have expressed interest but lack the necessary funds. A possible compromise would be a deal with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Committee, which is an internationally recognized and prestigious organization but is also non-commercial.

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