Three priorities for Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window – report

Amid the Negreira refereeing scandal, the European Super League, the European exits, financial problems, and maintaining their lead on top of La Liga, Barcelona are evidently dealing with a ton on their plate right now.

Ahead of the summer, Barça have made a list of three major priorities that need to be sorted out quickly, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Reduce: Wage bill

First and foremost, Barcelona have to reduce their current wage bill by over €200 million to get any sort of wiggle room in the budget. Without this, they will not be allowed to make signings in the summer.

There are multiple ways through which they can amend the wage bill.

The most obvious one is to sell players. This can include assets that are surplus to requirements, like Clement Lenglet, Alex Collado, Samuel Umtiti, etc. Or, compromise and let go of someone who is important or could be important in the near future, like Ansu Fati, or Ferran Torres.

Barça could also look to enter talks with certain important high-earners in the squad to adjust their salary, take cuts, and/or deferments. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong are reportedly two of the options here.

Bringing in more sponsorships for the jersey and new stadium is another option, too.

Register: Gavi, Araujo, Alonso, Roberto

Over the last year or so, Barcelona have handed extensions to four players: Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Marcos Alonso, and Sergi Roberto.

However, none of their new contracts have been registered with the team. Gavi, especially, is dealing with a ton of trouble with the Spanish judiciary also involved in his case.

The player was registered with the first team and handed the #6 jersey in January after the court allowed Barcelona to pen down his new contract. The decision was overturned, though, after La Liga’s appeal.

Alonso and Roberto are the most recent players to extend their current contract, both signing a one-year deal. The latter, however, has the option to extend it for another year.

Renew: Balde, Dembele

Apart from the four players who have already signed an extension with Barcelona, there are two others whose contracts are being dealt with as high-level priority: Alejandro Balde and Ousmane Dembele.

As for Balde, the player is still registered with Barcelona Atletic, having broken into the first-team this season only. The Catalans want to reward the youngster with an official place with the seniors, a higher salary, and a big release clause.

Dembele, on the other hand, still has a year left on his deal, having extended his contract for two years in 2022. However, his release clause stands at €50 million for most of the summer, which is troublesome for Barça.

He will likely be handed a bigger salary as well, along with a longer deal, likely to last at least until 2026.