Barcelona defender will have to reduce his salary by 50% to stay at the club

Barcelona are looking to hand out renewals to several players before the end of the ongoing campaign.

Gavi and Ronald Araujo are being treated as priorities by the club, with the youngsters growing into key players for the club over the past few months. Apart from them, another player who could be in line for an extension is Sergi Roberto.

The 30-year-old versatile right-back is in the final few months of his contract at Camp Nou. Talks over a new deal had been initiated but things have slowed down considerably over the past weeks, which has led to concerns in the player’s camp.

Roberto and his representatives are seeking a meeting with the club this week in order to gauge the situation. And now, MARCA is reporting that the Blaugrana will consider offering him a new contract, but only in the case he is willing to reduce his wages by 50%.

The report adds that Barça do not see Roberto as a regular first-team player and want to hand him a contract that reflects such a status, which is why they want their fourth club captain to slash his salary by half.

Roberto has not been a regular starter at Camp Nou for a while now. The 30-year-old has struggled with injury problems for a good part of the last eighteen months. While he began the new season on a positive note, the La Masia graduate has not featured for the club since late October due to an injury.

Roberto is expected to return to action only in April. Given his current situation, it is understandable why Barcelona want to offer him a downward renewal. It is now up to the Spanish international to decide whether he continues at Camp Nou on a lower pay or moves elsewhere on a free transfer.