Barcelona reportedly want Manchester United to make a 'financial contribution' to Frenkie de Jong's unpaid wages in order to allow the Catalan club to sell the Dutchman.
It is thought that the two clubs have agreed a fee for the player, with Catalan TV station TV3 reporting that the Red Devils have already agreed a total package worth £72million for the 25-year-old.
While Barca are keen to keep hold of the former Ajax man, the club's economic situation means they need to offload players in order to register their new signings.
Barcelona want Man United to contribute to de Jong's unpaid wages
De Jong is owed around £17 million in unpaid wages by the LaLiga outfit, due to bonuses and money owed from his deferred wages during the covid pandemic.
Now, according to talkSPORT, the Catalan giants want United to pay some of that money as part of a deal for the Dutch international, in addition to the £56 million up front transfer fee, and other add ons.
"We know Richard Arnold and John Murtough [United's CEO and director of football] travelled to Barcelona to hold talks with their Catalonian counterparts," Alex Crook told the radio station.
De Jong 'disgusted' with Barcelona
"The fee has been agreed, £56m up front with add-ons. The big stumbling block is this £17m that Barcelona owe Frenkie de Jong in unpaid wages.
"Clearly he wants that settled before really engaging in talks with Manchester United. And it's been suggested to me that what Barcelona really want is Manchester United to make some kind of financial contribution to those unpaid wages, which will be quite an extraordinary turn of events."
The Dutchman has reportedly been left 'disgusted' by Barcelona after boss Xavi 'informed him' of their decision to sell him to United over a phone call.
Mundo Deportivo claim that Xavi phoned the player to inform him of the situation on Monday night. It was the second direct meeting between the clubs after an initial meeting at the Via Veneto restaurant last Thursday in Barcelona.