Frenkie de Jong’s prioritises staying at Barcelona, but the ‘doors are open’ for him to join Chelsea or Manchester United this summer.
That’s according to Sport, who say the Blues and the Red Devils are waiting to convince the midfielder to join them.
Chelsea and Manchester United are willing to invest over €80m to secure his services and ‘await the decision’ of the 25-year-old.
The Catalan club have already informed the player he will have to either leave or reduce his ‘salary by almost half’ to stay at the club. Their ‘ultimatum is clear and an immediate response is expected’.
Barcelona’s relationship with the Netherlands international and his agent is not going through the best of times. The player and his camp have watched in ‘astonishment’ the millions spent by the La Liga side on new signings.
Sport say: ‘De Jong totally has the upper hand, but he knows that he must define himself because the pressure is now total and his situation would not be pleasant if he decides to continue without a pay cut. He can do it because he has it signed and his lawyers consider that his contract is absolutely legal, but he would be against Barça.’
Mundo Deportivo explain the Dutchman continues maintaining the same position he had throughout this summer and that is he wants to stay. Xavi Hernández’s side, on the other hand, are trying to push him out in order to help them with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play.
Despite Barcelona’s talks, first with Manchester United, and then Chelsea, De Jong has so far refused to leave. Mundo add that in recent hours, Laporta has approached his ‘trusted agent’, Pini Zahavi, to ‘try to convince’ the midfielder to accept Chelsea’s offer.
De Jong’s situation today is the same as it was a month ago. Without his approval, it’s impossible 
to carry out his sale, irrespective of Barca’s agreement with other clubs.
Mundo state the player ‘only offers signs of his desire to continue at Barcelona, both actively and passively’. He is preparing for the first La Liga tie against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
