Barcelona will ask Frenkie de Jong to negotiate with Chelsea or Manchester United if he refuses to take a pay cut to continue at the Camp Nou.
That’s according to Sport, who suggest the case related to the midfielder could be closed in a week’s time.
With interest from Chelsea and the Red Devils, the La Liga side are pressurising the 25-year-old to make a decision quickly. If he leaves or accepts to take a pay cut, it can help Barcelona register their summer signings for the new season.
The Netherlands international is comfortable at the Camp Nou and sees the Catalan club are building a wining project. At the same time, his representatives don’t want their client to lower his salary.
It’s said the former Ajax man’s decision could be imminent, while Chelsea are ‘pressing very hard’ to close the deal in the coming days.
Another report from Sport explains the Blues and Barca are already trying to close the operation involving De Jong. The west London club have ‘already launched an economic offer’ of around €70m plus Marcos Alonso in exchange for the Dutchman.
If De Jong refuses to move to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will sell Alonso to Barca for less than €10m.
This weekend has been marked to try to put the operation on track, but Thomas Tuchel’s side admit it will be difficult to convince the player, who is still keen to stay at the Camp Nou.
This report contradicts the earlier report from Sport by stating De Jong’s environment are in talks with Xavi Hernández’s side to lower the player’s salary. If that is not possible, then he would agree to talk to Chelsea and the deal could be closed.
