Frenkie de Jong stresses FC Barcelona. Actually, the club would like to get rid of the Dutchman to raise much-needed money. But the Dutchman refuses. In terms of sport, he can continue to help the club. However, the conditions for staying are tough.
According to a Spanish media report, Dutch national soccer player Frenkie de Jong should remain with FC Barcelona under certain conditions. Coach Xavi Hernández is said to have told the 25-year-old midfielder in a personal conversation that he plans to continue with him if de Jong is willing to forego half his salary, as the newspaper “AS” wrote. According to the report, he is set to earn €30m a year with the Catalans.
For weeks there had been speculation about a possible departure of the Dutchman from Barcelona. Manchester United in particular is said to have made intensive efforts to attract the talented playmaker. According to media reports, the club had already reached an agreement with the English for a fee of 75 million euros plus bonus payments of up to another ten million. But the player didn’t want to leave.
The reports about Barcelona’s alleged demand for a salary cut triggered some violent reactions in the football world. Former England international Gary Neville wrote on Twitter that de Jong should take legal action against his club. “A club that spends a fortune on new players while not paying in full those they have under contract is immoral and against the law,” he wrote.
The traditional club from Catalonia, which has a debt of 1.35 billion euros, urgently needs money to register newcomers such as world footballer Robert Lewandowski or Raphinha for the game and to be able to comply with conditions. Barça are also planning further transfers. However, a discussed giant return of Lionel Messi is probably not to be realized. Coach Xavi now found that this yearning transfer is currently “impossible”. Messi left Barcelona after more than 20 years in August 2021 for PSG because the Catalans couldn’t afford to extend his contract.