From Barcelona to Al-Nassr? La Liga champions may lose key figure amid director's early return from Asia

Rafa Yuste, Barca’s long-serving vice president of sport, is close to leaving the club to join Saudi giants Al-Nassr as their CEO, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo. After accompanying the team to Japan, he is set to return to Spain but is set for further talks with the Saudi Pro League officials. Yuste has yet to make a final decision, but the lucrative and high-ranking role on offer in Riyadh has forced him to weigh up professional ambition against loyalty to Barca and president Joan Laporta.

Yuste’s departure would be a major loss for the Camp Nou side, as he has been a key figure behind the scenes since March 2021. With the club currently navigating a crucial summer transfer window, his absence could disrupt operations during a key rebuild phase. His longstanding relationship with Laporta adds another layer of emotional complexity, but the pull of Saudi investment in global football continues to lure senior figures from Europe’s elite institutions.

Al-Nassr want Yuste to take over as their CEO as part of a structural revamp and his expected return to Barcelona after the Vissel Kobe friendly has dual purposes: to assist Deco with ongoing transfer negotiations, and possibly to finalise his departure. If he leaves, club's director of youth football Joan Soler is in pole position to replace him, according to MD. Soler was already under consideration for the same role last year and is well regarded within Barca's boardroom.

Should Yuste accept the offer, Barcelona will need to quickly appoint a replacement mid-window. Soler appears the natural successor, having previously been in contention and already operating within the club’s sporting structure. The challenge now is ensuring continuity during a period of major change, both on and off the pitch, while also preserving stability around Deco’s transfer plans.