Despite convincing a number of their players to take wage cuts, Barcelona’s wage worries are far from over.
Barcelona owe their captains Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique €102 million in wages.
The club’s well-documented financial problems have forced them to activate four financial ‘levers’ so far this summer.
Each of these contracts will allow Barcelona to sell a portion of their properties to relieve their economic problems.
The Catalans activated a fourth lever last week, which allowed them to register the contracts of four of their new signings. But, they are yet to add Jules Kounde to their official list of players ahead of La Liga’s second matchday.
Barcelona have increased their efforts to offload a few players from their wage bill in recent weeks.
Selling the likes of Martin Braithwaite and Memphis Depay might allow the La Liga giants to register Kounde’s deal. However, Barca might face bigger challenges next season.
According to ARA, Barcelona might have to pay €102m to Busquets and Pique as soon as the next season.
The Catalans reportedly owe Busquets €50m at the moment. However, the player will most likely extend his contract, and he doesn’t have a problem with receiving the payments in several settlements.
Pique took a massive pay cut last season, but the club’s negotiations to decrease his wages more have stalled.
The Spanish club also owe around £17m in wages to Frenkie de Jong. Chelsea and Manchester United have emerged as suitors for Barca’s top-earner, with Barca hoping one of them would pay De Jong’s debt before a possible move.