Spanish giants Barcelona are ready to take some of their player to court in a bid to trim their wage budget.
Barcelona are desperate to bring down their wage expenses, with the club reported to be in dire straits financially.
The club have been warned that they might not be able to register their new signings including Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay.
Even Lionel Messi, who recently agreed a new deal to remain at Barcelona is also at risk of not being registered this season.
However, his new contract, which includes a 50 percent pay cut, has certainly relieved a bit of the financial burden at the club.
Barcelona were hoping that other players would follow in Messi’s footsteps but it appears that some are proving to be a bit more resistant.
According to Spanish newspaper, Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are concluding legal action against players who reject the wage cuts.
While Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto and Gerard Pique have agreed cuts, Jordi Alba isn’t as willing, the paper said.
The club are reportedly considering their options and are also looking to sell some players to further trim their wage bill.
The club had started processes to trim that wage bill, terminating Matheus Fernandes’ contract.
Barcelona tried to do the same with defender Samuel Umtiti and midfielder Miralem Pjanic, hoping their exits would create the space they need to re-sign Messi.
However, Umtiti, in particular, is proving a tad difficult, with the Frenchman unwilling to leave the club until at least the end of next season.
Barcelona told the pair in a letter, sections of which were published by Marca, that “given the current financial situation of the club and the salary limit, we’re giving the player the option to terminate their contract with the club and to leave”.
Pjanic has three years left on his current deal, while Umtiti has two years on his contract and stand to lose €50 million and €35 million should they agree to terminate their contract.
With the players knowing that they won’t earn that salary anywhere else, they are clearly reluctant to give up their current deals.
Barcelona’s wages for the season before last was an amount of €671 million, however, that amount was reduced significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The Spanish top flight’s salary cap for the previous campaign was €382.7 million, with Barcelona given some leeway.