Barcelona are now able to register a host of summer signings thanks to Gerard Pique. The veteran defender has agreed a substantial cut in his salary so that his club can now play Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj in Sunday’s season opener against Real Sociedad.
Strict spending rules installed by La Liga have ensured that Barcelona have had to perform a fine balancing act all summer and that included losing Lionel Messi to PSG. Further negotiations with other senior players are ongoing as the Catalan club try to secure financial stability.
Sergio Aguero, another Barcelona summer signing, is currently unavailable due to injury but his huge wages mean further salary reductions will be needed when he returns in the next three months. The situation has threatened Barcelona’s start to the season but for the time being, it appears that Ronald Koeman has a full squad to choose from.
"FC Barcelona is able to register Memphis, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj to play in the Spanish Liga de Futbol Profesional," said the club in a statement. "This has been made possible thanks to an agreement with Gerard Pique whereby the Barça second captain's salary has been substantially reduced.
"The club is also continuing to work with two of the other captains, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, to adapt their salaries to the club's current situation. It must be noted that both players are totally and utterly willing to cooperate."