Arsenal have been linked with a move for Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho this summer.
The former Liverpool star, who joined Barca in January 2018 for a whopping £142million, has failed to live up to expectations during his three-and-a-half year stay at the Nou Camp and has therefore been linked with an exit this summer.
However, Coutinho's high wage demands are reportedly causing problems in selling him, with other clubs reluctant to meet his salary.
The Gunners have been credited with an interest in the Brazil international, though, who has now been sent a clear message by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
Speaking in a press conference on Monday afternoon, Laporta spoke about the club's debt problems and some players, including long-serving defender Gerard Pique, agreeing to a lower salary to help with the financial troubles, and expects other stars - perhaps Coutinho - to follow suit.
“We are happy to have resolved with Pique the issue (of registering new signings). To reduce salary is very admirable," the Barca president said.
"In Kun's (Aguero's) case, it is not yet resolved, but we expect other captains to act like Pique.
"Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto have been very good, we understand it is a complex issue, but we are sure it will be sorted.
"The situation is dramatic, but we have good news. Our strategic plan, and the experience we all have, gives us creditability, I am convinced that we will come through this.
"Players have a fixed salary and bonuses for performances and trophies. Some like Pique have agreed reductions.
"Others are contemplating a deferral or a lowering of their bonuses. We are looking for solutions, to restructure it all, the whole squad.
"The squad already reduced salaries due to COVID. Now we ask for a second effort, first response is surprise as nobody likes to lower their salary.
"But given the situation they are starting to understand and we trust we can resolve it asap with captains, then other players."
Arsenal, meanwhile, are pressing forward with their pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard, despite reported interest in Coutinho.
football.london understands that the Gunners are preparing a formal offer to try and convince Los Blancos to let Odegaard leave the club again, following his loan spell in the second half of last season.
There is also interest in James Maddison, but a deal for Odegaard now looks the more likely of the two.
