Barcelona are set to ask their players to take another pay cut after announcing huge financial losses - but it could give them the right to walk away for free.
The Catalan giants negotiated a 70 per cent cut with their stars back in March when football first shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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But the club have now announced losses of up to £88 million and Marca report more cuts could be coming in a "substantial modification of the collective working contract."
Negotiating a second pay cut could prove complicated however as it may mean the contracts can be rescinded.
The Spanish Workers' Statute means players may have a right to walk away from their deals should they be altered for a second time.
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One man who could benefit from this is captain Lionel Messi, who sensationally tried to leave Barcelona this summer.
Messi was the man who helped negotiate the first set of pay cuts but since then, he has attempted to leave for Manchester City and given a tell-all interview slamming Barca.
It was a quiet summer by usual standards in terms of incoming thanks to the club's financial struggles.
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Miralem Pjanic and Sergino Dest were the only two key arrivals, with youngsters Pedri and Francisco Trinaco also signing.
But the biggest business came in terms of outgoings and it saw the club's annual wage bill reduce by €80 million.
Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic were all offloaded for minimal fees while Nelson Semedo and Arthur also departed.
Barca have started their La Liga campaign two wins and a draw and currently sit fifth in the table.
New manager Ronald Koeman has helped revitalise a number of players but one is already frustrated - Antoine Griezmann.
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Speaking on Monday, France manager Didier Deschamps said Koeman had gone back on his promise to play Griezmann through the middle.
"I'm talking to him [Griezmann] and I'll see him later. I am sure he is not happy with this situation.
"I don't interfere with the use of my players in other clubs, be at Barca or anyone else.
"Antoine is playing on the right there at the moment. It's true that Koeman said, and told him, that he did not understand that he was used to playing in a more central position. But Antoine must also adapt today.
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"For me, he is still more effective when he is in the heart of the game, when he is able to touch the ball a lot. In that position, he has the possibility to come and help in the midfield too.
"He doesn't have the ability to take the ball and beat opponents on the wing like others. He needs to touch the ball a lot and he is smart in his movement."
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: Football News, News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Coronavirus, La Liga