Barcelona legend ready to take ‘drastic’ pay-cut to renew contract – report

As speculations mount over the future of Barcelona midfielder and captain Sergio Busquets, a fresh report from MARCA has provided an interesting update on the veteran’s stance.

The 34-year-old is one of the highest-earning players in the Barcelona squad currently. And it is well-established by this point that the Catalans cannot keep hold of him on his current salary if he does decide to renew.

As per the latest reports, La Liga have told the Blaugrana that they need to trim their wage bill by at least €200 million. And retaining Busquets’ services on his current salary would thus impossible.

But, the aforementioned report from MARCA is now reporting that the Barcelona captain is prepared to take a drastic pay cut in order to renew his contract.

Busquets had rejected a two-year contract from the La Liga leaders and had his heart set on a transfer to the MLS when his deal ran out. Talks are still ongoing with Inter Miami in the background, but there is no agreement as of yet.

Meanwhile, the former Spanish international has also received a bumper €18 million per year contract offer from Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr. And the midfielder is thinking about it as well.

But, Busquets is not ruling out the possibility of continuing at Barcelona. He knows that manager Xavi Hernandez is intent on keeping hold of him beyond this season, having held talks with him on multiple occasions.

While the club have been in the market looking for reinforcements, the current financial situation does not make it easy for them to bring in a top player to fill in Busquets’ shoes. As such, the extension of the midfielder by another year seems the most viable option.

Busquets is willing to hear Barcelona’s offer and is open to drastically reduce his wages as well. At the moment he earns over €20 million per year, but the deferred salary payments from the past years have taken the sum to a much higher value.

There will be negotiations and the captain will see what the club offers him with an open mind and see whether it aligns with his aspirations. Busquets is aware that the money will be greater elsewhere, but Barcelona, the club of his life, still continues to attract him.

Furthermore, the 34-year-old is producing solid displays in the new four-man midfield system that Xavi has been using of late. What now remains to be seen is to what extent he would be willing to lower his wages to renew with Barça.