FC Barcelona Set To Offload 6 Players To Shed €200M Wage Bill
July 5, 2021
Samuel Umtiti
Cash-strapped FC Barcelona chiefs are set for an ‘intense’ few days as they bid to clear their over-inflated wage bill ahead of the new LaLiga season.
It is a time of major uncertainty at the Nou Camp, with Lionel Messi currently out of contract and the club vying to get rid of a host of top-earners in the coming weeks.
Mundo Deportivo report that the next few days are key for Barca chiefs, who need to ‘drastically reduce their spending’ and lower their wage bill by an incredible €200m (£171m).
Trincao was the first to leave this week, heading for a season-long loan at Wolves, but he will be far from the last to leave during a busy pre-season.
Among the names reportedly heading for the exit, be it temporary or permanent, are Samuel Umtiti, Miralem Pjanic, Philippe Coutinho, Carles Alena and Moussa Wague, while Junior Firpo is in England ahead of his £13m move to Leeds.
Before the Euros, Martin Braithwaite had also been tipped to leave, but his impressive showing for Denmark may have given him an opportunity to stay another year at Barcelona to try and prove his worth.
Other ‘non-essential’ players such as Neto, Clement Lenglet and Sergi Roberto could also leave the club in what is set to be a huge overhaul for Ronald Koeman.
Much of the wage-cutting is in order to secure a new deal for Messi, who is currently out of contract and at the Copa America with Argentina.
The club legend is expected to continue at the Nou Camp, but his wages are extortionate and there will be no shortage of suitors in for his signature if Barcelona don’t offer him what he is asking for.
Next season is a big one for Koeman and Barca after they dropped out of the LaLiga title race with games to spare last time out.
They finished third behind Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, and Koeman’s job will certainly be under threat if they don’t improve on that position this time around.
Lee Ray is a qualified journalist dedicated to inform and update you with News, Gossip, Entertainment, Showbiz and Music!