Barcelona are desperately trying to lower their wage bill to finalize the new contract for Lionel Messi and register their summer signings in time for the upcoming season.
According to ESPN, the Spanish club are struggling to comply with La Liga rules. If they cannot sort out the situation before the end of August, they will not be able to agree on a deal with Messi and register their new signings before the January transfer window.
It would be a catastrophic scenario if they have to start the season without Lionel Messi and the new signings.
Barcelona have managed to offload quite a few young players this summer, but the big earners are struggling to get a move.
The Spanish outfit have tried to offload Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid, but the two clubs have not agreed on the terms of the transfer.
Meanwhile, Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti have been told that they will have to find new clubs.
Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho is on the chopping block as well, but the 29-year-old has not had significant interest in him so far.
Lionel Messi is currently a free agent, and the player would be allowed to join any club around the world if he wishes to.
However, it is believed that the player has a verbal agreement with Barcelona regarding a new contract. The Argentine wants to continue at the Spanish club, and he has reportedly agreed to take a 50% pay cut for the extension to go through.
La Liga chief Javier Tebas has confirmed that the authorities will not relax their rules for Barcelona and that the Spanish giants will have to comply with the regulations when it comes to contract extensions and registering new signings.
The likes of Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal were signed by the Spanish club earlier this summer, and none of those players have been registered so far.
