Tension in the Barça squad regarding the club's efforts to reduce its wage bill

The Barça squad has now returned to pre-season training ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, although there is a hint of uncertainty due to reports on the club's current financial situation. The players are aware of the club's intention to reduce players' salaries and make room in its wage bill for incoming transfers and the renewal of Leo Messi. This decision is completely understood in light of the club's financial problems brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the players don't quite understand how the club continues to make moves in the market when, on the surface, they don't seem possible given the club's financial restrictions.

Despite selling some players, the club has brought others in and has therefore continued to spend money in the transfer market. Barça has signed four players so far this window: Emerson, Eric García, Sergio Agüero and Memphis Depay. The ex-Betis full back only cost the club 9 million euros and the rest were all free signings, but their salaries are not insignificant. This has been the subject of much debate in the dressing room: how can the club ask the current players to agree to a wage cut while they continue to sign new players?

The club is moving heaven and earth in its attempts to get LaLiga to allow it to register its players for next season's campaign. However, in order to officially register them for next season's competition, the club needs to lower its wage bill. The financial problems are so great that the club is still unable to announce the renewal of its captain, Leo Messi.

The players are awaiting an official proposal for the aforementioned wage cuts and any compensation that may be offered. For example, their contracts could be extended by a number of years if they agree to a lower salary, or they could be offered deferred payments in the coming years.

In any case, the squad already agreed to a pay cut during the Covid-19 pandemic, and they will need to receive a highly justified offer from the club in order to agree to it on this occasion. The players don't want to be the only ones who are making an effort, with the club continuing to make moves in the market.