La Liga boss Javier Tebas has warned Barcelona over the Frenkie de Jong situation.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Tebas said that Barcelona must not exert pressure on De Jong to agree a wage cut.
Marca report Barcelona need De Jong to agree a wage cut if he is going to stay at the club, or they will not be able to register all of their new signings.
This is why the Spanish side are willing to sell the Dutch midfielder to Manchester United, with a fee agreed for his sale, per The Athletic.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
Barcelona warned by La Liga boss
Tebas has warned Barcelona that pressuring De Jong to agree a wage cut would be against their rules, upheld in agreement with the players’ union, the Asociación de Futbolistas Españoles (AFE).
He said: “What La Liga is going to do is fulfill our collective agreement with the AFE. The players cannot be separated or pressured, it is what the collective agreement, the law, reason and ethics mark. From there, Barcelona knows the rules and the responsibilities that exist in that aspect.”
Tebas added that Barcelona have plenty of work to do in order to fulfil their financial obligations to meet La Liga’s requirements before opening weekend on August 12.
He said: “If they will reach the start of La Liga? Ask it to FC Barcelona. I can say that they know the rules well and they know what they have to do. They still have to do, but there is still time.”
De Jong did go on pre-season tour with Barcelona, but he was played as a back-up centre-back. This has been seen as putting more pressure on him to leave the club.
The Independent has reported De Jong has rejected the proposal to cut his wages in order to stay, while the Dutch players’ union chairman has hit out at Barcelona over their treatment of the player.
Loan option explored
Barcelona would like De Jong’s wages off their books one way or another, and Spanish newspaper Sport report one radical option being considered is a loan switch.
The report states Manchester United would not be De Jong’s top choice if this was the case, as he wants to play in the Champions League. Bayern Munich and Chelsea are consequentially listed as his preferences.
It’s doubtful Manchester United would be keen on a loan unless it included an option to buy, but a permanent solution really is the objective.
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