Barcelona set to rename Nou Camp as £356m sponsorship deal edges closer

Barcelona are in talks to over the naming rights of their redeveloped stadium and are edging closer to a £305million deal with pharmaceutical giant Grifols.

The Catalan club are close to finalising a 30-year deal with the Spanish company, which would see their ground named the ‘Nou Camp Grifols’ if completed.

Barcelona did not even sell shirt sponsorship until their 2010 deal with the Qatar Foundation so the decision to make this new deal with Grifols marks a huge shift in attitude from the club.

But with the redevelopment of the stadium set to cost more than £500million and Lionel Messi’s new contract to finance, it was perhaps inevitable that naming rights on the club’s largest asset would be up for grabs.

Pharmaceutical company Grifols is base in Barcelona and is among the top 35 companies listed on the Spanish stock exchange.

While redevelopment work is not due to start on the Nou Camp until 2019, any sponsorship deal would take effect from the beginning of next season.

Should the deal actually cross the line it would eclipse the $400million (£301million) deal between New York Jets and the New York Giants and insurance giant Metlife in 2011, which is the current biggest naming rights deal.