The Catalan giants have been active in the transfer window despite growing financial issues and have added Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde to their squad.

Pique took a ‘substantial’ salary cut last August to help Barcelona register Eric Garcia, Rey Manaj and Memphis Depay.

Reports in Spain alleged Pique was still earning close to half a million pounds a year, which was proven to not be true.

Barcelona have activated three economic levers so far, with the third seeing them sell 25 per cent of Barca Studios commercial arm to Socios.com for €100 million last Monday.

The club have also sold 25 per cent of their La Liga TV rights to US firm Six Street for the next 25 years.

Barcelona are reportedly pressuring a number of players to leave and among the high-profile names are Frenkie de Jong.

The Netherlands international is wanted by Manchester United and Chelsea, but he’d rather stay at the Camp Nou.

Martin Braithwaite is also demanding to be fully compensated for the final two years of his contract before departing.

The Blaugrana still intend to add more players this summer too.

Marcos Alonso is expected to join from Chelsea and he was left out of the Blues’ 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday to finalise a transfer.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is keen to join and was dropped to the bench for Sunday’s 2-0 victory against West Ham United.