Talks between Barcelona and Manchester United for Frenkie de Jong’s switch to the Premier League are underway as the Catalans hope to offload the midfielder’s staggering salary.
Barca’s decision to sever ties with the Dutchman after just three years has caught many by surprise, especially as he joined the Spaniards with high expectations.
Last season’s La Liga runners-up paid Ajax €75 million in summer 2019 to take de Jong away from Amsterdam, hoping to make him a long-term successor of Xavi.
However, the Catalans are now hell-bent on getting rid of the 25-year-old, and Spanish news outlet Marca has discovered that has to do with his stratospheric wages.
De Jong has another four years left to run on his current contract at Camp Nou.
During the duration of his lucrative deal in La Liga, Barcelona would have to pay their deep-lying midfielder around €88.58m, fixed salary and loyalty bonuses included.
Various other add-ons, including match appearances and Barca’s achievements in the Champions League, would warrant up to €12.8m in further rewards.
What’s the catch?
De Jong signed a massive €14m-a-year deal when he signed for the Spaniards in 2019.
But after the COVID-19 pandemic put the squeeze on Barcelona’s finances, the player agreed to reduce his wages to help the club overcome economic turmoil.
Like all other first-team stars, the Netherlands international took a substantial 12% pay cut over the past two seasons.
It goes beyond that.
De Jong’s agreement with the club saw him earn only €3m in 2020/21 and another €9m in 2021/22.
Despite giving up almost €16m over the past two years, the former Ajax prodigy is supposed to cover his losses during the remainder of his contract.
That was the only reason he committed to another two years at Camp Nou.
In 2022/23, Barcelona will have to pay de Jong double the amount he earned last season, plus €3m in add-ons, which will take his total earnings to €21m next term.
Furthermore, he would receive around €27.7m in the 2023/24 season, which would make life awkward for cash-strapped Barcelona.
Given the club’s well-documented financial struggle, it is unsurprising that they are keen to sell de Jong to Man United as soon as possible.
