Barcelona consider giving the letter of freedom to two out-of-favour players – report

While the financial problems at Barcelona might somewhat ease following the assembly vote to go ahead with the sale of a 49.9% stake in BLM, the Catalans still need to offload unwanted players to free up space on the wage bill.

However, that is posing an issue as players like Martin Braithwaite and Miralem Pjanic are not exactly keen on leaving, while some other stars do not have suitors in the market.

It could force Barcelona to consider alternative measures to part ways with such players. And SPORT reports that the Blaugrana are already pondering the possibility of giving the ‘letter of freedom’ to two stars in Samuel Umtiti and Neto, to get rid of the pair this summer.

Neto is on high wages for a second-choice goalkeeper and the club are intent on shedding his salary from the payroll. The Brazilian goalkeeper himself is keen on securing an exit from Camp Nou this summer but not many clubs are lining up to sign him.

Serie A side Lazio are said to be open to signing Neto, but would only consider a free transfer. And Barcelona handing a letter of freedom to the shot-stopper could help facilitate a switch back to Italy for the former Juventus star.

On the other hand, Umtiti’s situation is much more complicated. While Barcelona are ready to mutually agree on the termination of his contract, the defender is not attracting a lot of interest, complicating matters for the club and the player.

There have been reports of interest from his homeland of France, but any move would require him to take a pay cut, which he might be reluctant to do, having already agreed to reduce his wages when he signed a downward renewal in January.

It remains to be seen what path Barcelona opt as they look to clear out space on their wage bill to make room for new signings.