SERGIO BUSQUETS will be among the casualties when Barcelona offload three of their highest earners.
It comes as Barcelona move to re-establish financial stability within the club after a summer of turmoil.
The midfield general is set to be joined on the chopping board by defenders Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique.
According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona chiefs want to reduce the clubs wage bill by a further £150million.
The current bill stands at a whopping £546m, with the target figure between £376m and £402m.
The trio of Barca captains all have bumper deals at the club, but while Busquets remains an integral figure Alba and Pique have been pushed to the side.
READ MORE ON BARCELONA
The trio have over 1,700 appearances between them, and a massive haul of trophies to boot.
However, with the new direction the club are pressing towards under Xavi’s tutelage, their days are now numbered.
A summer spend of £145m was partially funded by the restructuring of the clubs debt and the sale of the clubs TV rights going forward.
This movement of capital allowed the club to raise the funds to bring in a host of new stars, including Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
While the loss of three popular veterans will be a big blow to the club and its fanbase, they could be appeased via the return of Lionel Messi.
Barcelona’s economic vice-president revealed the Argentine’s return was economically viable, amid speculation surrounding the forwards future.
SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week Messi had no concrete offers currently on the table.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
