Barcelona are reportedly on a collision course with their first team stars with the Spanish La Liga football giants needing players to take another pay-cut to ease their finances amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Players took a 70 percent pay-cut back in March to ensure non-playing staff received all of their wages with the pandemic shutting down the sport.
But in a week where the club announced losses of £88million, Marca report the club are seeking another pay-cut from players although it remains unclear whether that would give the squad the power to rescind contracts and walk away for free.
The report details the club’s plan for a “substantial modification of the collective working contract”.
If successful, the plan will see playing and non-playing staff take wage cuts in the coming weeks and months.
One player will act as a representative for Ronald Koeman’s squad when negotiating with the board at a meeting regarding the cuts.
Lionel Messi was key in handling the first round of cuts but with players, including the Argentine, currently away on international duty it remains difficult for the squad to select who will represent them.
The key issue the club need to iron out before pushing on with planned cuts is how another reduction would affect the Spanish Workers’ Statute.
Marca’s report makes the claim that judicial sources in Spain have indicated to them that players and employees may have the legal right to rescind their contract if deals are modified for financial reasons.
Messi, who filed a burofax to the club earlier this summer informing the of his desire to leave and secure a move to Manchester City, would no doubt be very interested in the potential to walk away for nothing.
He was eventually told he would not be sold unless his £630m release clause was met and having argued the clause was invalid, he was left with no choice but to accept another season at the Nou Camp.
It will take meetings with every player to ensure, from the club’s side, that no squad member would go down the route of termination if and when further pay-cuts are put forward and agreed upon.
Barcelona’s limited dealings in the transfer market was largely down to the financial armageddon the club are battling through.
Koeman made Lyon attacker Memphis Depay a top target but Barcelona were unable to finance a deal for the Dutchman on deadline day.