Barcelona to continue wage reduction with Samuel Umtiti and other high wage earners

Barcelona have taken drastic measures to reduce their wage bill and make the club economically sustainable again. The club’s finances were over the roof and it was a herculean task to pull the club back from the turmoil. In fact, the club’s deplorable finances meant that the Blaugrana failed to register Lionel Messi despite reaching a verbal agreement.

The reduction of expenditure was one of the prime agendas of Joan Laporta. Barcelona’s already troubled state had worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as per the latest audit, the club is 1.35 billion euros in debt. For last season, the club incurred losses of 481 million euros and was left with a negative net worth of 451 million euros.

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The Catalans had to make summer sales and lighten the load on the wage bill that at one point in 2019-20 stood at 671 million euros. Barca had a number of high wage earners with inflated contracts and even players with a squad role were pocketing huge salaries per week. Furthermore, the Catalans struggled to offload their ageing players who were on huge wages as no other club was ready to match those figures.

Wage cuts were one of the simplest solutions to reduce the wage bill and obey La Liga’s salary cap. Club icon Gerard Pique was the first one to take a huge pay cut and even defer most part of his wages till 2025. His generosity allowed Barca to register the new signings and soon other club captains, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba followed. An agreement is also being reached with Sergi Roberto.

Barcelona to continue wage reductions

Laporta and his team have done magnificent work in reducing the expenditure and the captains have also been gracious to accept wage cuts. Despite achieving a reduction in expenditure, Laporta has insisted that the work isn’t done yet and the board will continue to work with other players to reduce their salaries. Barcelona now plans to start talks with other high wage earners like Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho to lower their wages.

"“The reduction [of the expenditure] is important, [as] we have gone from 110 to 80 per cent. I want to congratulate the executives and the financial department of Barcelona for their work, and all those who have worked tirelessly and extraordinarily. And we have some heroes in [Gerard] Pique, [Jordi] Alba, [Sergio] Busquets and we will seal [the deal with] Sergi Roberto.What they have done is admirable. They are committed to the club, to the members. It is admirable. And we will continue with other players, such as [Samuel] Umtiti and others from the first team. We are in a process that is not easy. First the captains have set an example, and now we will continue with others.” (via Goal)"

Offloading Antoine Griezmann was another important step in reducing the wage budget as he had already pocketed 46.5 million euros over two years and was going to earn nearly 19 million through wages alone, bonuses excluded. Overall, Barcelona carried out a very solid transfer operation sending him on loan to Atletico with an option to buy for 40 million which becomes an obligation if he features in 50% of the games.

Umtiti was expected to leave Camp Nou this season but after showdown talks with Laporta he will stay at the club and is willing to take a wage cut in order to help the club. The Frenchman wants to play and is working on his fitness.

Meanwhile, the Blaugrana also wish to extend the contract of Ousmane Dembele and lower his wages and the former Dortmund man also desires to stay as he feels he’s an important part of the project.

Barcelona are also expected to soon open talks for extensions of Pedri and Ansu Fati, the two brightest torch bearers of the club in the post-Messi era. The burgeoning youngsters have already become extremely important in the first team dynamics.

Slowly but steadily, Barcelona seems to be on the road to recovery.