Umtiti takes pay cut as Barca registers Torres
Barcelona has finally been able to register new signing Ferran Torres after agreeing a new contract with Samuel Umtiti that sees the Frenchman's salary temporarily decreased.
Barca signed Torres from Manchester City last month in a deal that could eventually cost €65million, but due to the club's financial difficulties, they were unable to register him.
The Blaugrana's salary cap this season was set at just €97m, a decrease of €280m from 2020-21 due to their financial performance.
Although a recent bank loan reportedly made the signing of Torres possible, the club have had to be creative with their use of funds to ensure he is eligible to play in LaLiga.
That has involved Umtiti, who is now tied to the club until 2026, rather than 2023.
Umtiti's Barca career has been heavily impacted by injuries since he joined from Lyon in 2016, with his inability to be a reliable option at the back contributing to him becoming unpopular among some supporters.
As recently as last month he felt compelled to confront a group of fans who had blocked his car at the club's training ground.
During the incident, one of Umtiti's harassers jumped on the bonnet of the player's car.
But despite those issues and reports suggesting Barca had been trying to get Umtiti out of the club, the France international has been given a new contract and thanked for assisting in getting Torres registered.
A statement read: "Barcelona and first-team player Samuel Umtiti have reached an agreement to extend the latter's contract until June 30, 2026.
"The French defender is reducing a part of the salary that he was due to receive in the year and a half remaining on his contract.
"This contract extension operation does not entail any greater financial commitments for Barcelona with regards to the player.
"Barcelona wishes to publicly express its gratitude to Samuel Umtiti for his willingness and the affection that he has demonstrated towards the club.
"Through this contract extension, Barcelona will be able to increase its 'financial fair play' quota and thus register Ferran Torres with the Spanish Professional Football League."
Nevertheless, Torres remains absent from the group travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Supercopa de Espana, with Barca set to face Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The Spain international tested positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday, as did Pedri, and neither have been included in the selection.
However, Ansu Fati and Frenkie de Jong are both travelling to Riyadh despite not having "medical approval".
