Atletico Madrid have reported asked a number of their first team stars to lower their wages in order for the club to comply with La Liga regulations.
According to GOAL, the Madrid club have asked five players from their first team squad to accept a pay cut to help decrease the wage bill.
The five players in questions are believed to be goalkeeper Jan Oblak, midfielder Koke and attacking trio Thomas Lemar, Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix.
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It has been reported that the club contacted the players and their representatives to explain the club’s situation and the need to adjust their wages.
Apart from pay cuts, the club have also suggested deferred payments.
Oblak and Lemar are the first two players to accept new terms at the club. Frenchman Lemar has agreed a new deal that will keep him at the Wanda Metropolitano until the summer of 2027 and has taken a 40% pay cut.
Oblak, who is the highest paid player at the club, is set to sign a deal that will run to 2028, the Slovenian has agreed to take a large pay cut as well as deferred payments.
In terms of Griezmann, his situation is slightly more complicated as he is currently on loan at the club from Barcelona.
It has been reported that Atletico are limiting the French international’s time on the pitch due to a clause in the loan agreement.
The agreement reportedly stated that if Griezmann play at least 45 minutes in 50% of their games, the Los Rojiblancos will have to pay the Camp Nou club €40 million and sign the 31-year-old on a permanent deal.
Club CEO, Enrique Cerezo spoke about the club’s stance on Griezmann at the UEFA Champions League draw.
He said: “Griezmann is a player in the squad, who is important, and I believe that being part of the squad, he is part of the squad. He cannot leave.”
In the Champions League draw, Atletico were drawn into Group B, alongside Porto, Bayer Leverkusen and Club Brugge.
Diego Simeone’s side have endured a turbulent start to their La Liga campaign. They won their opener 3-0 against Getafe but were beaten 2-0 by Unai Emery’s Villarreal side last time out.
Up next for Atletico is a trip to the Estadio Mestalla as they take on Valencia.
Topics: Atletico Madrid, La Liga, Antoine Griezmann, Joao Felix, Jan Oblak, Thomas Lemar
Marcus Chan