An ‘urgent meeting’ is scheduled at Barcelona over Frenkie de Jong, report Marca.
The talks will be held between Barcelona and his agent Ali Dursun, who is said to be ‘very angry’ with the way the players’ future has been dealt with.
De Jong’s representatives are unhappy at the way his owed salary has been leaked to the media, with The Telegraph reporting he is owed £17 million by the club. after deferring part of his wages during the pandemic.
The Dutchman has been on holiday and is due to report on Monday for pre-season training. He is said to already be back in Barcelona.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
‘Urgent meeting’ scheduled over De Jong
Marca write, of De Jong and his agent: “They are very angry about the way the board is handling the issue. They don’t like the fact that news of the negotiations with United have been leaked and that the player’s contract has been revealed. They even perceive a propaganda campaign against the Dutch midfielder.”
Barcelona’s preference is to sell De Jong to United, or for the midfielder to reduce his wages.
De Jong’s preference is to stay, but he does not want to reduce his wages, especially when he is already owed so much.
One way or another, the stand-off should become a little clearer after this ‘urgent meeting’ takes place.
De Jong and his new fiance are said to be happy in Barcelona and he does not wish to leave, however, United ‘still lurk’.
Marca report if De Jong does not accept a proposal to reduce his salary, then Barcelona will push ahead with a plan to sell him to United.
At United he could link up with Erik ten Hag, his former Ajax boss, while his agent Ali Dursun just helped United close a deal for Feyenoord’s Tyrell Malacia, who is currently the club’s only summer signing.
United need to end the uncertainty
With De Jong’s desire to stay in Barcelona a consistent theme of this two-month transfer saga, it does not look too promising for United at present.
United have spent so much time on this transfer already, and it is a disappointment he is not on the club’s pre-season tour.
It feels like United need to make a firm decision, to pulls out all the stops to do the deal, or walk away and move onto other transfer targets.
There is still time to sign other midfielders, but if United leave it too late, time will run out. There is also the largely significant Cristiano Ronaldo situation to deal with.
Let’s hope we get some clarity and progress and both fronts this week. Positive or negative, being in limbo is worse.
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