Barcelona's presidential elections are drawing ever closer, and one of the most important tasks that will face the new man in charge will be the renewals of several players' contracts in the squad - something that will shape the short- and long-term future of the club.
The current financial situation caused my COVID-19 means that negotiations over contract renewals are more complicated than ever. Tying down the futures of players like Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati, Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto will be a huge headache for whoever becomes president.
This is the biggest one of all and one that will hugely shape the Barcelona side in the 2021/22 season. The Argentine's contract is set to run out in four and a half months, and the new president's job will be to convince him that his new project at the club is a winning one.
Messi's camp have said that his salary isn't as important as the structure of the side going forward. They've placed more emphasis on signings, departures and the coach. If Barcelona don't surround Messi with the quality of player he should be playing with, he may well leave. This, however, would free up a considerable amount of money in wages.
The second most important renewal after Messi's. Ansu Fati's contract ends in 2022, while the club claim they can automatically renew it until 2024.
His agent Jorge Mendes rejects this, however, saying it's illegal and he'll fight to win him a better deal. He'll be the subject of offers from other clubs, but if Joan Laporta wins the presidency, he has a very good relationship with Mendes.
Ronald Araujo has been a revelation this season and Ronald Koeman is eager to get him back from injury so that he can partner Gerard Pique in central defence. His current deal runs out in 2023, and he'll need to be offered a more lucrative deal after recent good performances.
There were talks over a new contract until 2026 before Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned, and negotiations will be resumed when a new president is appointed.
Ousmane Dembele has been at the club for four years, and his deal runs out in 2022. Barcelona must decide over the coming months whether they should offer him a new deal or put him up for sale in order to avoid him leaving for free next year.
His performances have been below what is expected from a 135 million euro signing, but this has been largely due to injuries, although there have been instances of poor professionalism. Dembele has been playing better in recent weeks, but the club will have to decide if they want to take the risk on him, even though he is undoubtedly an extremely gifted player.
Along with Ansu and Araujo, Pedri has been a sensation since breaking into the side.
The 18-year-old's performances deserve an improved contract. His current agreement is until 2022 with the option of extending until 2024, but he'll need to be rewarded for his fantastic level in recent months.
Sergi Roberto's deal runs out in 2022, and he nearly left last summer. His season has been hampered by injury problems and the 29-year-old is now reaching a pivotal moment in his Barcelona career.
After eight seasons at the Camp Nou, it remains to be seen whether he'll sign another deal or look for a new challenge elsewhere.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com