Transfer news - Barcelona want to release Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti from their contracts - report

ByCoral Barry

Published 04/07/2021 at 14:58 GMT

Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti will be asked by Barcelona to walk away from their contracts at the club. Barcelona are desperate to reduce their wage bill and Ronald Koeman has told the club neither Umtiti or Pjanic features in his plans for the future. Both players have more than one year left on their current deals.

Barcelona are prepared to release Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti from their contracts, according to reports.

The Catalan giants are attempting to cut down their wage bill as they work to keep Lionel Messi at the club.

Messi is officially a free agent, but Barcelona remain confident they can secure the Argentine’s signature on a new deal.

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But that can only happen if Barcelona get their finances in order and Goal claim the club have offered to release midfielder Pjanic and defender Umtiti from their deals.

Ronald Koeman has told Barcelona neither player features in his future plans and the La Liga side want to take the opportunity to slash their wage bill by releasing the pair.

Samuel Umtiti has struggled with injuries

Image credit: Getty Images

Umtiti has long been linked with an exit from Barcelona having suffered with injuries in recent seasons and made just 13 appearances last term.

While Umtiti has spent five years at Barcelona, Pjanic only joined the club last summer in a big move from Juventus.

'Messi renewal talks are going well' - Laporta

Barcelona forked out £55 million to lure Pjanic to Spain, but it now appears the Spanish giants are already prepared to cut their losses.

Pjanic has three years left on his deal and Umtiti two, meaning it will be a tall ask to convince either player to walk away from Barcelona.

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Barcelona intend to sit down with both and present a compensation offer, but ultimately it will be down to the players if they want to accept an exit.

While the club are working to trim the squad of deadweight, Barcelona have made several cost effective moves in the transfer market.

Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay have all arrived on free transfers, while Emerson Royal was signed from Real Betis.

‘The best thing for Barca is Koeman to stay’ - Barca president Laporta

Barcelona paid £8m for the Brazilian after exercising their option to buy the player outright after sharing co-ownership with Betis.

One outgoing at Barcelona is Francisco Trincao. The 21-year-old has joined Wolves on a season-long loan and the Premier League side will have the option to sign Trincao on a permanent deal next year for £25m.

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