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Barcelona aiming to extend contracts of four players

Barcelona are aiming to extend the contracts of four players with Ansu Fati and Pedri being the priority, Goal claims.

The Catalan giants are currently working on new deals for Fati and Pedri, and they are aiming to finalise renewals before the Members’ Assembly on October 17.

While the Blaugrana have entered negotiations with the players’ agents, it is reported that they are yet to make any progress over contract extensions for the duo.

The high salaries are proving a stumbling block, but there is optimism that their renewals will be sorted soon.

Once they sort out the pair’s futures, the hierarchy will reportedly focus on handing new contracts to Ronald Araujo and La Masia academy starlet Gavi.

Gavi’s current deal has a release clause of around €50 million. The club are eager to commit him for the long term while increasing the reported buy-out clause.

Our view:

Barcelona are currently undergoing transition after parting ways with high-profile players in Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann this summer amid wage restrictions.

La Liga have taken strict action against them amid their extravagant spending over the years. The club need to reduce their wage bill to €98m to spend freely once more.

They are far away from doing so with an excessive wage bill of more than €300m. The Blaugrana can spend just €20m on players, including contract extensions.

In the current financial climate, contract renewals could be the priority. Fati and Pedri have their deals expiring next summer. The club will hope to sort new deals before January.

Otherwise, they could face the risk of foreign clubs negotiating pre-contracts. There will be high-profile clubs across Europe willing to pay significant wages for the star duo.

Araujo had an injury-plagued 2020/21 campaign for the Blaugrana, but the centre-back could be a mainstay for many years with Gerard Pique approaching the end of his career.

Gavi only made his debut this term, but the 17-year-old has seen a huge boost in his reputation, having excelled for Spain during the recent Nations League finals.

The club have time on their hands with Araujo and Gavi having more than 18 months left on their deals, but they will be desperate to sort out the latter’s future due to a low release clause.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.

Read: Barcelona target January deal for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

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