Barcelona continue Lionel Messi fundraising mission with latest transfer

Barcelona have allowed Carlos Alena to leave the Nou Camp as they continue their cost cutting mission with Lionel Messi's unresolved contract top of their agenda.

The 23-year-old has left to join fellow La Liga side Getafe, freeing up further funds.

Messi is now technically a free agent, although he is looking to pen a new two-year deal with the Catalans.

Financial difficulties at the Nou Camp currently prevent the club from finalising the future of their prized asset however.

Barcelona need to continue selling players before they can tie Messi down as they deal with debts of €1.2 bn.

The Spanish giants have been left looking foolish after signing the likes of Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay on free transfers, only to be prevented from registering them due to wage issues.

Depay, who joined from Lyon, has already agreed to take a 30 per cent pay cut in order to speed up proceedings.

Francisco Trincao, Junior Firpo, Jean-Clair Todibo, Konrad de la Fuente and Matheus Fernandes have already been shown the Barcelona exit door.

Last week Catalans president Joan Laporta spoke positively about their chances of sorting Messi's future despite the hurdles involved.

"We want him to stay and Leo wants to stay, everything is on the right track, what's left to sort out is the issue of fair play and we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties," he told El Transistor.

"I'd like to be able to announce that he is staying but at the moment I cannot do that, because we are in the process of looking for the best solution for both parties."

La Liga chief Javier Tebas has already taken a swipe at potential suitors still eyeing Messi.

The likes of Man City and PSG have both been linked with moves for the Argentine, but Tebas has made his view on it very clear.

He said: "He won't be able to sign [for Barcelona] on the previous conditions, that's impossible," said Tebas. "I don't think any European club would be able to pay that amount.

" Manchester City have lost €270m [during the Covid-19 pandemic] so obviously they wouldn't even consider signing Messi [on his old salary].

"If they do, it will be the financial doping. I've told [Pep] Guardiola this too. I've directly said that to him, 'would you have won as many titles without as much economic doping?'

The Spanish giants confirmed the exit of Alena in a statement that read: "FC Barcelona and Getafe CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of Carles Alena.

"Barca reserve the right to 50 per cent of any future sale of the player, a buy-back option, plus first right of refusal on any offer.

"FC Barcelona would like to thank Carles Alena for his commitment and dedication and wishes him all the best for the future."