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Lionel Messi is regarded as expendable by nearly a third of Barcelona’s supporters.
TV3 asked members about their thoughts on their captain in addition to conducting a poll asking who they had voted for.
65.7 percent of those polled believe Messi’s extension is critical for the club, although 30.7 percent disagree.
When asked about renovations at the Camp Nou, 64 percent of members said they’d be happy to see Barcelona play away from their normal home stadium to expedite work, similar to what Real Madrid did during the coronavirus pandemic by playing at Valdebebas.
Laporta’s challenges as Barcelona president
On Sunday night, he was voted in as Barcelona’s new president with just over 54% of the vote, just ahead of Victor Font and Toni Freixa.
Barcelona must now be restructured.
Laporta has a lot of work on his hands, starting with the severe financial crisis they’re in and Lionel Messi’s deal, as well as the reconstruction of the Camp Nou.
Laporta must get to work on Messi’s contract as soon as possible. Renewing his contract would cost the club a lot of money, but his departure will be financially devastating as well as emotionally devastating.
Throughout his campaign, the president used the Messi card several times, and he insists that, for the time being, encouraging the Argentine to stay is more necessary than controlling finances.
The transfer market
The post-pandemic market is difficult to navigate, particularly for Barcelona, which has no capital and an astronomical wage bill.
The new board must raise revenue and consider whether or not to extend the contracts of Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele.
Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti are expected to be sold, with Sergio Aguero possibly joining on a free transfer.
Eric Garcia, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Memphis Depay are all expected to arrive, according to Ronald Koeman.
Debt
The club is in debt to the tune of over one billion euros, with 700 million euros of that owed on a short-term basis.
They need to raise money right away, whether by sponsors, more members, t-shirt ads, or some other means. Salaries must also be changed.