Barcelona president Joan Laporta is close to reaching an agreement with senior players over a proposed pay-cut.

El Periódico reports Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Sergi Busquets and Jordi Alba have been encouraged to accept a 40 per cent wage reduction, with the money owed deferred to future years in their contract.

Laporta needs the players to accept the cuts in order to fit Lionel Messi's new contract under the club's salary cap.

And the president appears to be close to success, with only Jordi Alba showing hesitation towards the proposal, though there is a confidence the fullback will agree.

However, there remain doubts over whether the deferment will be accepted by the LaLiga when considering salary cap laws.