Frenkie de Jong's Barcelona contract stand a boost to Man Utd AND Chelsea

James Shearman

Updated: 27 Jul 2022 12:28 BST
3 min read

Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Manchester United and Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

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De Jong is now reluctant to lower his salary to stay at Camp Nou, given the number of transfers the Catalan club have been able to complete, according to Sport.

Barcelona have already announced the signings of Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski this window, and are also in talks to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

So, quite rightly, De Jong feels that since the club seemingly have plenty of money to spend, there is no reason for him to take a pay cut. This opens the door to a move to the Premier League.

De Jong's other issue is that he agreed to defer a significant amount of wages in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

That figure comes to £17 million, which Barca are still unwilling to pay.

This presents an issue to Manchester United and Chelsea, however, as the Netherlands international is not willing to move clubs until he receives this money, according to De Telegraaf.

De Jong to Man Utd or Chelsea?

Frenkie de Jong, who is valued at €64 million by FootballTransfers, has been embroiled in a long-running transfer saga with Manchester United for several weeks.

Some progress has been made in this regard, as a €75m fee has been agreed between the two clubs, but the deal has got no further.

That's because De Jong's preference has always been to stay at Barcelona. In an ideal world, he would receive the deferred wages he is owed and continue to play under his existing contract.

De Jong should consider legal action v Barcelona and all players should be behind him!A club spending fortunes on new players whilst not paying the ones they have under contract their full money is immoral and a breach. @FIFPRO should be all over bullying like this and stop it.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 25, 2022

However, despite the number of high-profile signings, Barcelona's financial predicament means this is not an option.

In fact, La Blaugrana may struggle to register both Raphinha and Lewandowski, should De Jong remain at the club, according to journalist Alfredo Martinez.

If so, the most likely course of action is that Barcelona agree to pay the £17m, or at least the majority, and De Jong moves to the Premier League.

United are in pole position, having agreed a fee with Barca, but Chelsea are in the Champions League next season.

That said, De Jong would surely enjoy reuniting with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Though, if the opportunity arises, Chelsea could go all out in an effort not to lose out on another transfer after failing to sign Raphinha, Lewandwoski and Richarlison already in the window.

Only one thing is for certain; the Frenkie de Jong transfer saga is far from over.