Barcelona are in a race against time to lower their wage bill and register manager Hansi Flick in time for the new season, a report has claimed.
Flick was unveiled as Barca’s new manager earlier this week, replacing former boss Xavi after a clash with president Joan Laporta over the strength of the squad saw him relieved of his duties.
According to MARCA, however, Barcelona are not yet in a position to register Flick’s contract with La Liga as they are still well over their current salary limit.
It is noted that Xavi’s registration only ran until this summer, with club officials aware they need to lower their current salary expenses before being able to register any new faces.
A further four players are also not yet registered for next year. Gavi and Alejandro Balde are both expected to be registered before the end of the summer but doubts persist about Vitor Roque and Inigo Martinez, both of whom could leave the club.
To be able to register Gavi, Balde, Flick and anybody else – Eric Garcia is also returning from an impressive loan with Girona – Barcelona will have to raise significant funds in the transfer market.
Decisions will have to be made on loanees Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, while Barcelona may be forced to listen to offers for a number of players in Flick’s squad.
Defenders Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde continue to be linked with big-money moves away from Camp Nou, as do forwards Ferran Torres and Raphinha, while speculation surrounding the future of midfielder Frenkie de Jong is never far away.
Some money should be freed up by the departure of Marcos Alonso on a free transfer, but Barcelona will have to raise more money in the coming months if they are to fulfil all their ambitions.
