In Barcelona's exec area "it is beginning to be clear that an announcement of a principal sponsor is close to being made," according to Moisés Llorens of AS. After "many months of meetings and work, Qatar Airways, Amazon and an Asian company -- which has not been identified but is not Rakuten -- are among the possibilities." All "possible aspects have been considered and the decision is practically made." Barcelona is "now looking for dates to announce the sponsor and explain the agreement to members." Two possibilities are Dec. 3 and Dec. 18 (AS, 11/10). SPORT reported Barcelona "has intensified negotiations to finalize the signing of a new sponsor." It "would be a special sponsor as the goal is for the brand to have the most visible presence on Barcelona's shirt." Sources close to the negotiations said that "talks are advanced." The same sources added that "the new sponsor will not bring about the disappearance of Qatar Airways." The club is working "to put the logo of the new sponsor on the front of the shirt while Qatar Airways would continue to occupy a predominant place elsewhere in the organization," with "all signs pointing to a presence at the new Espai Barça" (SPORT, 11/10).
