Barcelona hoping Pique retires next summer to avoid paying €80 million in salary

Gerard Pique has been at the centre of controversy all throughout 2022, right from his Spanish Super Cup scandal to the problems in his personal life. RAC1 has only added to the pile, reporting a rather interesting velitation.

The reliable outlet says that Barcelona are hoping that Pique will announce his retirement at the end of the 2022/23 season so that they can avoid paying him €80 million in salary over the next two seasons.

The veteran defender, one of the highest-paid players in the world, was kind enough to defer his salary multiple times across the last three years to help Barcelona cope with the adverse financial impact of COVID.

He was also one of the first players in the team to take a pay-cut, which eventually helped the club register new signings in the summer of 2022.

While that has caused quite a row with Lionel Messi, it went down well with the Barcelona administration, as other team leaders followed suit.

Pique has been one of the best players for Barcelona this season, he is 35 years old and inevitably at the last juncture of his career. His knee injury has haunted him through 2021/22, and it is difficult to see him continue beyond next season.

That said, the club is without an able replacement for him as it stand. Ronald Araujo has done an excellent job in the heart of the backline, but needs a defender comfortable on the ball to complement him.

Andreas Christensen seems to be on his way from London, but he might not start for the Blaugranas right away. As such, Barcelona have been unsurprisingly linked with Jules Kounde and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Reports suggest that Barça already owe Pique nearly €50 million in deferred salary. That amount is next to impossible to shell out right now, but could be adjusted in the next financial cycle, courtesy of the club assembly that took place last week.

The assembly approved the part sale of Barça Studios and Barcelona Licensing and Merchandise, which are expected to bring in nearly €700 million.

The next few weeks will clear up the fog about Barcelona’s economic situation, after which fans can expect the club to make a marquee signing or two.