Barcelona’s La Liga season kicks out this weekend, but the club has not yet registered its five new players and two players whose contracts were renewed. One established seasoned star offered to play for nothing in an effort to assist his team in improving their current situation.
The summer saw a flurry of activity on the transfer front from Barcelona as the Spanish club added five new players to their roster. If they can’t figure out a way to make the numbers work, all five will have to watch the season opener from the stands.
Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde are among the Blaugrana’s latest signings who are not yet eligible for registration. Xavi Hernandez’s side are also unable to sign re-signed Ousmane Dembele or Sergi Roberto.
Although allowed to dress for exhibition games, these athletes will not be able to compete the following season until they report to the league. The Catalan giants are in financial trouble, which is why their request to register all new players has been rejected by La Liga.
Gerard Pique offered to play for free at Barcelona
By pulling the fourth lever, Barcelona will be able to generate additional revenue, which will greatly help the club in their efforts to land new summer signings. However, one of the club’s veterans is willing to help the team cut costs after doing so last summer.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Gerard Pique has even suggested that he will play for free in the upcoming season. However, Barča rejected him. So The Athletic reports that the 35-year-old defender has agreed to resign for a lower salary to make it easier for the club to sign new players.
The Camp Nou management had previously demanded that Pique, De Jong, Ter Stegen and Lenglet return to their previous contracts after the club’s lawyers found “evidence of criminality” in the 2020 deal signed while Bartomeu was in charge. As a result, more questions will be asked about De Jong’s future.
A deal is believed to be nearing completion after the former Spain international and his agent met Joan Laporta, Rafael Yuste and Mateo Alemany at a restaurant in Sant Just Desvern last Wednesday. With one star already committed to helping the team, the Spaniards are counting on other stars to do the same.