Barcelona, eager to sort out their squad for next season, have demanded that striker Patrick Kluivert tells the club whether he plans to leave for a bargain basement fee.
Barcelona informed Kluivert at the end of last week they would not be paying a special annual bonus of €4.6 million agreed at his last contract revision.
Under the terms of the agreement, failure of the club to pay the bonus leaves Kluivert free to buy out his contract for €1.8 million. Reports from England say Newcastle United are among several clubs interested in signing the Dutchman.
His agent Sigi Lens told Barcelona this week that he had been unable to contact the player to find out about Kluivert's plans, a situation that is frustrating the club.
"The attitude is improper," Barcelona's new president Joan Laporta told the club's television station on Thursday.
"I'm asking his representatives to take into account that they're dealing with a serious club, with 103 years of history.
"We're not going to accept this sort of attitude or them telling us again that they haven't managed to speak to their client.
New coach Frank Rijkaard has various plans for strengthening his squad, but until the Kluivert situation is resolved the club say their hands are tied.
If Kluivert does decide to leave, the club will use the money saved on his contract to sign a replacement striker.
One target could be Roy Makaay of Deportivo Coruna, last season's Golden Shoe winner for Europe's best striker. The club are also talking with Valencia with a view to bringing in Argentina's Pablo Aimar.
Barcelona have already informed centre back Frank de Boer, midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, left back Juan Pablo Sorin and striker Alfonso that they will not be in next season's squad.
The only new player signed up is Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber who has joined on a free transfer from Fenerbahce. Barcelona have also agreed a deal with Philip Cocu for the Dutch midfielder to stay on for another season.
Other players being looked at are Valencia's Argentine centre-back Roberto Fabian Ayala, Leeds United's Australian forward Harry Kewell and Monaco's Mexican defender Rafael Marquez.