Barcelona are ready to take strong action with players’ contracts in an attempt to regulate the financial crisis that has engulfed the club.
La Blaugrana president Joan Laporta desperately needs to balance the books to follow La Liga’s salary limits ahead of the 2021/22 season and will try to make adjustments to some players’ contracts – players who have salaries that are considered “high”.
Spanish outlet Marca has identified four players that the club considers high-income earners and whose salaries they want to reduce. Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto are all on big money and, given the remaining contract period and possible renewals, the club will propose changes to salaries.
All four players have been long-term employees of the club. Pique has been at Camp Nou since 2008 while Alba joined in 2012 – both have spent time in Barcelona’s youth program. At the same time, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto are both La Masia products that have never been shown to another club.
Despite their ties to Barcelona, the club is desperate for them to take pay cuts in the midst of financial turmoil. Despite La Blaugrana’s tough situation, Marca reports that some talks between the club and the players’ agents have not borne fruit, with at least one player unwilling to lower his salary.
However, Laporta will take all necessary measures to stabilize Barcelona’s financial position and meet the league’s salary cap. The club is already trying to loosen dead wood and other high-income earners within its ranks; Martin Braithwaite, Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic are some of the players that Laporta are keen to continue, while Antoine Griezmann has embarked on his own transition story this summer.
Barça’s president hopes the players will work together to allow the club to register their four new signings – Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, Emerson and Memphis Depay – and write about current free agent Lionel Messi, whose contract expired on July 1.
Lionel Messi can not play for Barcelona as it looks / Quality Sports Images / Getty Images
Messi is expected to soon agree to a new agreement, where the Argentine reportedly takes a salary reduction of 50% to be able to stay in Barcelona. Departures and other salary reductions will be needed for him to be able to register before the 2021/22 season begins.
