Barcelona have told Frenkie de Jong he needs to leave the club, report Mundo Deportivo.
Fabrizio Romano reported today there is ‘full agreement’ between Manchester United and Barcelona for a total package worth £72 million.
De Jong has now been told by Barcelona they want him to go, principally for financial reasons.
The departure of the midfielder would generate key funds required to sign and register new players, and renew contracts of other stars, while complying with La Liga fair play rules.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
Barcelona have told Frenkie de Jong he needs to leave
De Jong has always spoken of his desire to stay with Barcelona, but he has to now surely see the writing on the wall.
Manchester United are keen to sign the Dutchman and reunite him with his former manager Erik ten Hag.
De Jong is owed money by Barcelona which was deferred during the pandemic, and a resolution still needs to be found.
United chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough travelled to Barcelona for talks this week, which was a sign of confidence the deal will get done, and it appears productive from their end, with a fee agreed.
De Jong returned to Barcelona for training on Monday after the international break. Now in the first week, he has been told to leave, for the sake of the club.
Whether he agrees or not, it makes for a very uncomfortable situation if he stays, while a potentially happy new start awaits at Manchester United.
Drastic action considered
Spanish newspaper Sport report Barcelona may not be able to register Franck Kessie, Andreas Christiansen and Sergi Roberto if Frenkie de Jong does not leave.
The club are considering leaving him off the plane for their pre-season trip to the USA if he refuses to go, and told him quite firmly that staying is not an option.
The report states: “There is no other alternative to continue planning the squad for next season.”
The way De Jong appears to be being forced out will not sit well with him, but it should be music to Manchester United’s ears as the process appears set to speed up.
- FRENKIE DE JONG: Factfile
- De Jong made his Ajax debut in 2018 and by 2019 he was playing in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
- He played 59 games under manager Erik ten Hag, losing only six times.
- Barcelona paid £65 million to sign him, he is their sixth most expensive signing.
- He has played 139 times for Barcelona, scoring 13 times, including in the final as they won the 20/21 Copa del Rey.
- At the age of 25 he already has more than 40 international caps with the Netherlands and is looking ahead to his first World Cup.
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