Sergi Roberto reveals he is paid like a YOUTH TEAM player at Barcelona after taking huge salary cut amid financial woes
BARCELONA star Sergi Roberto revealed he took a youth team wage to remain at the club in the summer.
The defender signed a one-year deal at the end of last season to stay at the Nou Camp.
But he took a significant wage cut due to the financial problems at the LaLiga giants.
Roberto has just over six months remaining on his contract but he is hopeful of signing a long-term deal on a much-improved salary.
However, he admitted in an interview with RAC1 that the club are yet to open talks over a new contract.
He said: “Right now I’m getting paid as if I had moved up from Barca B, but I do it with pride because I want to be here. For me the economic issue is not important.
“We haven’t started talking [about a new contract] yet, but my idea is to stay. From what the coaching staff have told me, they are very happy with me and want me to stay.
“I would be very excited to be able to continue, to be able to enjoy myself on the pitch with the Barca shirt.”
Barcelona could open negotiations with Roberto over the next few weeks, while Frenkie de Jong is also now said to be indispensable.
It is also claimed any attempts to reduce the Dutchman’s wages have been shelved.
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De Jong’s position at Barcelona had for long appeared unstable with a row over his wages making headlines earlier this season.
But it now appears tensions have cooled and the 25-year-old has become a key part of Xavi’s side.