GERARD PIQUE is willing to take another huge pay cut to help Barcelona register their five summer signings – as LaLiga won’t let him play for free.
Cash-strapped Barca will open their season at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday without seven stars – unless they slash their wage bill.
And defensive legend Pique, 35, is doing all he can as the Spanish giants battle to avert a farcical situation.
Barcelona have defied their money problems by spending big.
In came £47million Leeds winger Raphinha, £42,5m Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea target Jules Kounde from Sevilla for £55m.
Stamford Bridge centre-back Andreas Christensen and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie arrived for free.
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And that duo could LEAVE for free if they are not registered – because of a clause in their contract.
Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto also face missing out on the LaLiga curtain-raiser if Barca don’t sort out their wage dilemma.
They agreed new contracts this summer, but that means they too can’t be registered unless the overall pay bill is slashed.
Barcelona even hope to make more major signings, although they could offload Frenkie de Jong to Chelsea or Manchester United.
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Barca still want Marcos Alonso and possibly even his Chelsea team-mate Cesar Azplicueta.
And most ambitiously, they have an eye on Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva, who could cost at least £67million.
Former Red Devils and Spain central defender Pique took his first pay cut last summer.
But it couldn’t save Barcelona from losing Lionel Messi to PSG as their cash crisis hit hard.
And that quandary has now deepened – with seven players in limbo.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
