Ex-Barcelona chief Llopis: No will to negotiate Messi's future | OneFootball

Former Barcelona chief Jaume Llopis says more players and officials need to follow Lionel Messi out the door if the club is to balance the books.

Llopis resigned on Sunday in protest at the handling of Messi's departure.

Without explicitly naming Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Llopis intimated that he bowed to pressure from club CEO Ferran Reverter to get Messi's wages off the books.

"There were 25 days left and I don't think everything what could have been done has been done. There was no real will to negotiate Messi's future", Llopis said on Que t'hi jugues.

"With Messi's departure the wage bill is lightened in the short term, but there are many players, managers and staff members who are not needed.

"It's a question of reducing the wage bill with a player who could do it. I think there has been pressure from the CEO to save money on this salary. There are many drastic things that could have been done that have not been done."