Gerard Pique to take pay cut to stay at Barcelona
By Max Cooper
Gerard Pique is set to remain at Barcelona next season, having come to an agreement with club president Joan Laporta over a reduced salary.
The 34-year-old is a major earner at Camp Nou, receiving an annual €16m gross wage from the Catalan giants, on a contract that runs until 2022. However, La Blaugrana's disastrous financial position has put the Spaniard's future in doubt.
But Spanish outlet AS understands that Pique will not leave Barça in the summer, and will instead accept a pay cut on the remaining 12 months of his contract.
The World Cup winner met with president Laporta to discuss the club's failure to win La Liga last season, the future of current boss Ronald Koeman and Pique's own destiny. The former Manchester United man was very understanding of the club's financial issues, having been one of the most heavily affected teams by the coronavirus outbreak.
And Pique is believed to have committed to significantly reducing his salary to help his club, becoming the first Barça star to make this sacrifice ahead of the summer transfer window.
The centre-back's loyalty will be used as an example to the rest of the squad, who will all be asked to consider a pay cut in the summer, or risk being pushed out of the door. The club is confident that fellow Barça legends Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets will follow in Pique's footsteps in accepting a reduced salary, although Sergi Roberto could be sold to raise funds.
Pique came through Barça's La Masia academy, but he left the club in 2004 and joined Man Utd. The Spaniard spent four years with the Premier League giants before returning to Catalonia, where he has gone on to become a club legend.
Negotiations continue over a new deal for club captain Lionel Messi, but the football legend will also be expected to accept a hugely reduced wage for the coming years.