Barcelona ‘to slash player wages by further £61m with debt set to increase to £1.3bn despite Messi transfer interest’

BARCELONA are reportedly planning to reduce their wage bill by a further £61MILLION as they prepare to take on even more debt.

The Catalan giants sit top of the LaLiga table, 12 points clear of fierce rivals Real Madrid.

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But off-pitch matters continue to cloud the club’s future.

And with planned renovations to the Nou Camp in the pipeline, their debts – made up of loans and finance – are expected to reach £1.3billion.

According to Relevo, this has led club chiefs to look at reducing each player’s salary by 15 per cent from next season.

Stars such as Jordi Alba are also set to be approached about taking new deals on lesser wages.

Barcelona believe these cutbacks could save up to £61m.

But the players will need to agree to the reduced wages – a decision the squad will need to come to as a group.

And that could prove a difficult sell, particularly if the club continue to try and sign big names in the summer.

Earlier this week, reports emerged of a potential return for Lionel Messi.

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The Argentine, 35, left in emotional circumstances two years ago when Barca’s financial crisis dictated that he had to move on.

He is now into his second season with Paris Saint-Germain, but is being urged to take a reduced deal to remain with the French side.

And Barca are one of several big offers on the table for Messi – despite their economic instability.

The club’s fans even chanted his name during their 4-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is also the subject of a £350m-a-year offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami have also shown interest in bringing him to America.