August 11, (THEWILL) – Gerard Pique is set to accept further wage cuts to assist Barcelona in registering their summer acquisitions and making some contract extensions. The 35-year-old centre back has even offered to play for free according to some sources.
Ahead of the start of a new La Liga season, none of the five new players or the fresh contracts agreed with Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto have been officially registered with the Spanish League. Barca face the likelihood of losing the likes of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie if they are not registered by the weekend. It will mean that both can renegotiate their contracts and sign with another team as free agents.
That same protection is not available to other recent additions for whom a transfer fee has been paid, such as Robert Lewandowski. However, Barca must make money in order to have the space they require within the severe limits of the La Liga salary cap, which forbids teams from making purchases they cannot afford.
To find that space, Barca are pushing to see Frenkie de Jong leave and he may most likely join Chelsea or Manchester United. Memphis Depay is also anticipated to leave, which will result in a transfer fee and the removal of his earnings. Another player who has recently been linked to a move is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who arrived Barca in January.
Pique is prepared to step in and assist, just as he did on the eve of the previous season when Barca were still waiting to sign Eric Garcia and Memphis. The club recently asked both he and Sergio Busquets to take more wage cuts. Yet, as magnanimous at Pique’s gesture to play for free is, there is a Spanish football legislation that forbids wage reductions of more than 50%. It was the same that forbade Messi to play for free before his move to France.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
