Barcelona are hopeful that Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho will be prepared to take pay cuts amid their growing financial crisis, according to reports.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed this month that the Spanish club are in a staggering £1.1bn worth of debt.
Former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi exited the Camp Nou this summer after La Liga’s financial rules scuppered his new contract with the club.
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Gerard Pique has “significantly” lowered his salary to ensure that Barcelona were able to register Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj for the La Liga season.
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Barcelona also want Pique’s fellow club captains Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto to follow in his footsteps and take a pay cut.
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According to reports in Catalonia, the La Liga club will also turn their attention to other players who will need to reduce their respective salaries.
Ara claims that Griezmann and Coutinho are ‘top’ of Barcelona’s list for contract talks over a potential pay cut.
Both Griezmann and Coutinho were linked with moves away from the Camp Nou this summer, but Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is expected to keep them for the current season.
Koeman has publicly hit out at Barcelona starlet Ilaix Moriba over stalled contract talks, saying that “money is not the most important thing.”
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Barcelona were reportedly frustrated that Alba, who is under contract until 2024, refused to take a pay cut.
Alba has insisted that Messi’s departure was not due to Barcelona’s captains rejecting a drop in their salaries, but he added that he is “willing” to speak with the club when they approach him.
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Samuel Umtiti was also targeted by Barcelona fans in his side’s Joan Gamper Trophy win over Juventus earlier this month.
Barcelona were prepared to release the 27-year-old French defender and Miralem Pjanic from their contracts in an effort to reduce their wage bill.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Barcelona, Antoine Griezmann, Philippe Coutinho, La Liga, Spain, Football