Kluivert to be out of pocket as Barca tighten purse strings

Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert has fallen foul of Barcelona's money-saving campaign, the Catalan club having informed the player he will not be paid agreed bonuses next season.

However it means the 26-year-old will become available to buy at a cut price fee of 1.8 million euros (2million dollars).

Kluivert's current deal was negotiated by the club's former management two years ago when his annual salary was raised from three to six million euros.

Now the star striker, who had been valued at 36million euros, has been told he can basically leave the club in July for a cut price fee, the drastic reduction reflecting Barcelona's desperation to offload him after a long drawn-out dispute over his payments.

According to Barcelona's website, representatives from the club will meet Kluivert's agent in midweek to negotiate the changes.

However those talks are set to be difficult. Kluivert has recently reiterated that he would not budge over the proposed changes.