Barcelona have a ridiculously low transfer budget for 2017

Barcelona's attempt to complete a hat-trick of La Liga titles is in jeopardy following Real Madrid's blistering start to the season.

The Catalan outfit trail Los Blancos by three points and have played one game more than their rivals. It's not the point differential that is Barca's biggest problem, however.

It's the fact that Zinedine Zidane has turned Madrid into a frightening force. The European champions haven't won the league since 2012, but they look like they could dominate under the Frenchman for years to come.

Of course, much of their success depends on how long Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the top of his game. But Zidane has instilled a never-say-never attitude at the Santiago Bernabeu, as evidenced by their important late goals against Sevilla in the Super Cup and against Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna in the league.

Considering Madrid's threat, Luis Enrique would be forgiven for wanting to strengthen his side in 2017.

However, he might have to scratch his plans to sign some of Europe's best players, including Juventus star Paulo Dybala.

LOW TRANSFER BUDGET

According to The Sun, Barcelona will have just £21 million to spend next year. When you consider £15m got Bournemouth Jordon Ibe, £21m won't get Barca very far.

The low kitty is a result of the Spanish giant's extravagant summer in 2016. They spent £109.5 million on Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne, Denis Suarez, Paco Alcacer, Jasper Cillessen and Andre Gomes.

The £30m spent on signing Gomes from Valencia was apparently set aside for the 2017 winter and summer windows, but interest from their rivals forced Barca to act in July.

EXPENSIVE RENEWALS TO COME

Barcelona have spent a lot of money on player contracts over the past few months, with Neymar, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets all signing new deals.

And the biggest outlays could still be to come. Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta are both in line for new contracts.

So instead of targeting flashy signings in 2017, Enrique will go for older, cheaper alternatives.

UNLIKELY TRANSFER TARGETS

The Sun claim he has identified Darijo Srna and Branislav Ivanovic as potential January targets, both of whom are on the wrong side of 30 and thus won't break the bank.

But despite their low cost, neither are the sort of signings a club of Barcelona's stature should be aiming for.

Real Madrid are banned from signing any players in the January window, but they may be let off by Barcelona's reckless spending.