Major concern over Barcelona wage bill, significantly over 70% recommended budget limit

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With the implementation of Financial Fair Play and more stringent regulations from UEFA, Barcelona seemingly need to get their finances in order.

Aside from setting limits to avoid big-spending clubs from dominating, the idea is for all clubs to run at a self-sustainable level with recommendations in place to help them achieve it.

One of the suggestions from various organisations is over how much the wage bill represents in the total budget, and based on the figures put forward by Marca, Barcelona aren’t even close to being within the parameters.

The recommended level is for anything between 55 and 70%, as per Marca, the Catalan giants are currently spending €588m on player wages, which makes up 84% of their budget.

Various other factors come into consideration in this financial year, including the sale of Neymar, but with president Josep Maria Bartomeu expected to present a record budget of €897m moving forward, they will have to make financial progress and cuts elsewhere to paint a more positive picture of their financial health it seems.

That can be achieved through player sales, with several fringe players likely to be axed in the upcoming transfer windows, while given the global appeal of Barcelona, they’ll undoubtedly have other commercial and marketing opportunities that can be further exploited.

Nevertheless, Marca note that there are still contract renewals to be sorted out with Gerard Pique the most notable player up for a new deal, and so it remains to be seen how the club balance their spending and ensure that they don’t fall foul of any regulations moving forward.

It can’t be too negative and restricted though given that The Mirror report that the Spanish outfit will try again for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho in January.

Having had a final offer of £118m rejected this past summer, as per the report, Barcelona seemingly do have the money to spend, and will be formulating a plan to ensure that it all somehow works.