Covid-19 has rocked the finances of clubs around the world, and those who were struggling beforehand are in deeper trouble now.
One of those is Barcelona, who had let their wage bill grow far too high in relation to their income. After the loss of funds due to the pandemic, they’re seriously feeling the impact.
Mundo Deportivo reports this ‘horrific damage’ will have an impact on Lionel Messi’s renewal, and he’s now only weeks away from being able to sign a pre-contract agreement with another, then moving in the summer on a free transfer.
Barcelona themselves are looking at bringing free-signings in, and Mundo explain this is why Liverpool’s Georgino Wijnaldum is so attractive to the Catalan club. The midfielder’s current Anfield deal expires at the end of the season and right now it doesn’t seem like a renewal is imminent.
Jurgen Klopp will likely want to keep the player at Liverpool, but those in charge of finances at the Reds may well be thinking twice about handing a big and long contract to a 30-year-old.
This gives Barcelona a chance to pounce, although it’s unlikely Wijnaldum would be able to pick up a bumper deal there either, with Mundo Deportivo making it clear the plan at the Camp Nou is to reduce wages.
