Ronald Koeman Slams Player for Demanding Pay Rise Amid Barcelona's Financial Difficulties
By Amreen
Ronald Koeman has taken a swipe at Ilaix Moriba for holding out on signing a new deal as he bargains for a pay rise amid Barcelona's ongoing financial difficulties.
The 18-year-old has a year remaining on his contract and has reportedly rejected the offer of a new contract due to the eye-watering £343million release clause that the club wanted to insert into the contract.
And Koeman has hit back at him, claiming that money should not be the most important factor for him.
Speaking ahead of their match against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, Koeman said: "My advice is that money cannot be the most important thing for an 18-year-old. It's about playing games. But the player and his camp think differently. I am disappointed."
Ronald Koeman: "I spoke to Ilaix (Moriba) 2 or 3 weeks ago on a human level, not as a coach. The situation is horrible because he's only 18, and I know that the club would love for him to stay. My advice was that money isn't everything." pic.twitter.com/LDznO10dRG
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 20, 2021
Moriba was left out of the squad for Barcelona's friendly against UE Olot earlier this month, and club president Joan Laporta revealed that Moriba would not be extending his contract.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: "We hope that we don't get a repeat of the Ilaix case, he is a player with one year left on his contract and he doesn't want to renew.
"It's a situation that we won't accept and we have to act and send out a message. He is a great player but if he doesn't want to renew there are other solutions."
The teenager made 14 LaLiga appearances last season and scored his first league goal in a 2-0 win against Osasuna in March.