Barcelona condemned a “false” report that revealed the salaries of star players Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, among others.
Journalist Lluis Canut claimed on Thursday that Pique earns nearly 30 million euros a year from Barca, of which Sergio Busquets pocketed 23 million euros and Jordi Alba 20 million euros. The amounts in all three cases represent more than was previously thought.
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Canut also says that the pay cuts that the three players accepted last summer to help the club through a difficult financial period was a postponement, not a cut at all.
“Regarding Lluis Canut’s comments on TV3, Barcelona would like to clarify the following,” the club said in a statement on Friday.
“1. Salary information for certain first-team players is not provided by the club and is not in any case sourced. [of any leak] is not known.
“2. In all cases, the amount mentioned in the information is false and inconsistent with reality. Furthermore, in the case of the first three players introduced. [Pique, Busquets and Alba], it provides fixed amounts, since the sums involved are based on variables, which may never be reached.
“3. It is also wrong that the aforementioned players only postpone their salaries. Pique, Busquets and Alba gave up part of their salaries when they signed contract extensions last summer.
“We consider it inappropriate, unprofessional and that [Canut] acted in bad faith by providing this information as truthful. We regret that this type of data is provided as it infringes on the player’s privacy and deserves to be kept secure when the information is true. “
Pique then posted an answer to Canut on social media, seemingly claiming that 50% of his base salary is currently around €2.3 million net by sharing a screenshot of his online banking. his line.
“Everybody likes [Canut] Pique wrote, charging public television to continue and defend their friends. “This is 50% [base] pay, as it was on December 30. Have a little respect for yourself. “
Personatges com aquest cobrant d’una televisió pública per defensar els seus amics. Aquí tens el 50% de la meva nòmina cobrada a 30 de desembre. Respect is not mica. https://t.co/luHsMMqJD8 pic.twitter.com/l4IAtqvexU
– Gerard Piqué (@ 3gerardpique) January 7, 2022
After lengthy negotiations, Barca revealed last summer that Pique, Busquets and Alba had agreed to a pay cut to allow the club to sign a new contract. Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero with LaLiga.
Due to the club’s recent losses and debt problems – their total debt is more than 1 billion euros – they are currently operating under the LaLiga-imposed spending limit of 97 million euros for the season.
Since their salary bill alone was over that limit, they were only allowed to spend 25% of any savings they earned.
The club currently do not have enough room in their limit to sign a new €55 million contract Ferran Torres are from City of Manchester. However, after Philippe Coutinho‘S loan transfer arrive Aston Villa on Friday, the club hope to be able to register him to the league soon.
Leaked Thursday, also includes wages paid to Samuel Umtiti (20 million euros), Philippe Coutinho (16 million euros), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (14 million euros), Ousmane Dembele (12 million €) and Sergi Roberto (12 million euros), not the first case involving wages paid at Camp Nou.
Last year, before he left the club, a report in a Spanish newspaper detailed how Lionel MessiThe Catalan side’s final four-year contract is worth a potential 555 million euros.
Barca’s wage bill is at more than 600 million euros for the 2019-20 season, but they have spent the past two years making cuts, including letting Messi go Paris Saint-Germain, to try and bring it back in line with their spending limit.
