Vice president Eduard Romeu has suggested that he will only become more confident about Barcelona's financial future when three long-serving players leave Camp Nou.
The issues behind the scenes at the Catalan giants have been well-documented with numerous players being asked to defer wages or renegotiate contracts with reduced wages.
That initially occurred during the main stages of the coronavirus pandemic and has continued to as recently as during the summer transfer window.
Despite Barcelona's problems, the powers-that-be still found a way to generate significant income in order to sign an array of world-class stars.
With percentages of future television revenue and Barcelona Studios being sold off, the likes of Jules Kounde, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski were able to move to the La Liga giants.
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Nevertheless, Romeu has indicated that the trio of Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets will need to depart the club in order for a substantial benefit to be felt with their books.
Romeu said, as quoted by the Daily Mail: "What throws us off is the amount we spend on our player salaries.
"There are a group of (contracts) that have a very important cost and between this season and the next they will disappear."
In response to being quizzed over whether he meant the Spanish trio, Romeu is said to have indicated "yes", and Barcelona will seemingly hope to find a resolution during 2023.
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Despite remaining as a regular starter this campaign, Busquets appears most likely to depart Barcelona with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Although there have been links with the MLS, the 34-year-old told reporters last month: "I can't tell you anything because there's nothing. There is nothing despite the rumours that have appeared. There is nothing official. I'll see how I'm doing this season. There is nothing.
"I want to enjoy myself and then I will see. It is clear that I am not 20 years old. A priori, it is the last year of my contract, but things have been made official that are false."
Meanwhile, Pique and Alba both have contracts until the end of 2023-24, and it may take Barcelona allowing them to depart on a free transfer to tempt any admirers into making a bid.
Pique is someone who has already negotiated a lower wage, while Alba allegedly had interest from Inter Milan in August.
Darren Plant
