Barcelona could renew veteran defender to ease financial fair play restrictions | OneFootball

After having agreed a downward contract renewal with Samuel Umtiti earlier this month, Barcelona are planning something similar with another of their defenders in Sergi Roberto, reports SPORT.

One of the club captains for the season, Roberto is in the final six months of his contract. Talks over an extension have been held in the past but significant progress was not achieved.

However, as per the report, Barça are now set to resume negotiations with the versatile defender’s camp over a new contract with reduced terms, in hope that it can allow the club to make one more signing in the ongoing transfer window.

The Catalans have already signed Dani Alves and Ferran Torres but needed Umtiti’s downward renewal to facilitate the registration of the latter. The same concerns remain with regard to any new player that might arrive as Financial Fair Play restrictions might prohibit the club from registering whoever comes in.

As a result, the Blaugrana are now ready to negotiate a new contract with Roberto to create more space on the wage bill. The report also adds that the 29-year-old would be open to deferring his salary for the rest of the season and agreeing a pay cut on a new contract.

Such a move would allow Barça to bring in another new face into the squad this month, with Xavi Hernandez & co. intent on signing a new striker. Alvaro Morata remains the priority for the manager as he looks to bolster his attacking department further.

Roberto has been out injured for the most part of the season and is expected to be sidelined until April this year. It remains to be seen if the club are able to extend his contract on reduced terms in the coming weeks, so as to sign a striker before the end of the January transfer window.