Barcelona have reportedly issued an ultimatum to Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong to either take a pay cut or depart from Camp Nou this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona want the Frenkie de Jong saga to reach its conclusion soon, and a confirmation can be expected by next week. The club have issued an ultimatum to the midfielder to decide on his future soon.
Barcelona are currently recovering from a financial crisis and need to offload a few players to balance their wage bill and register new signings. Frenkie de Jong, who is the top earner at the club, has been asked to leave by the Blaugrana or take a pay cut if he wishes to stay at Camp Nou.
The Catalan giants have even agreed on a transfer fee with Manchester United, with their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag keen on a reunion with the former Ajax midfielder. Chelsea are also in the mix, and their owner Todd Boehly has reportedly held talks with Barcelona president Joan Laporta over a summer move for de Jong.
Some reports have claimed that the Netherlands international does not want to move to Manchester United, and prefers London, making Chelsea the favourites, while some others have billed Manchester United as the front-runner to complete the 25-year-old’s signature.
Barcelona are said to be open to the idea of de Jong staying at the club, and manager Xavi Hernandez is also an admirer of the 25-year-old midfielder. But de Jong has no option but to take a pay cut if he wishes to stay at the Catalan club.
The two parties have held several discussions this week, but Barcelona are insisting de Jong make a decision soon so that they can register new signings as the new season nears its start. The player’s first preference remains to continue at Barcelona, but his entourage does not want him to take a pay cut.
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If Frenkie de Jong decides to leave, Barcelona want at least €80 million in transfer fees, which both Chelsea and Manchester United are prepared to pay.
