Barcelona's players face a 40 per cent pay-cut if Lionel Messi is to sign a new contract.

Deportes Cuatro says Barcelona would be able to register Messi for the upcoming LaLiga campaign if three of its highest earners agree to a 40% wage cut. Another way for the club to reduce its wage bill would be to sell Antoine Griezmann to another team.

According to the report, if three of Barça's highest earners agree to a 40% wage cut, this would solve the financial problems which are causing so many headaches for president Joan Laporta.

Ideally, Messi's renewal would be facilitated by the departure of Griezmann. The club's financial problems would be alleviated with the sale of the French forward, and it would also help them to reduce their wage bill.

The club are already working hard to find potential buyers, and are doing so with the player's approval.