Barcelona issue Frenkie De Jong exit ultimatum over deferred wages

FC Barcelona have issued midfielder Frenkie De Jong an ultimatum over his exit according to SPORT.

The club has now asked the player to either accept a pay cut and fall in line with the club’s new wage structure or accept an offer from the clubs demanding his services.

The De Jong transfer saga has been drawn out since the beginning of the summer window, and there is seemingly no end in sight just yet.

De Jong is one of the highest earners at Barcelona, and the club would like the player to take a pay cut.

The club is trying to ensure no player within the first team earns above €10 million a year, and De Jong will earn about €22 million in 2022/23 as per the pay raise mandated in his contract. It’s relevant to note that this pay raise is due to the player agreeing to defer wages a couple of years ago at the club’s request. Wages that the club are now unwilling to pay.

The club wants to keep the player, but they will need him to accept a significant cut from his salary.

Barcelona have been negotiating with Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea. They accepted an €85 million offer from United for the Dutch international at the start of July, and have given the green light to Chelsea to discuss terms with the player.

De Jong has rejected both clubs in favour of staying at Barcelona but now faces a decision.