Barcelona have reportedly told Frenkie de Jong that they want to rip up his current contract and revert back to the original terms he signed in 2019, alleging the lucrative deal handed to him by the club's former board involved 'criminality'.
De Jong's future has been the subject of huge speculation this summer with the Catalan giants desperate to either sell the Dutch midfielder or come to an agreement over the £17million he is owed in deferred wages.
Barcelona are in desperate financial trouble and selling De Jong would ease some of that financial pressure, as well as allow them to pursue a deal for Bernardo Silva from Manchester City.
De Jong is wanted by Manchester United and the Premier League giants agreed a £63m deal with Barcelona last month but he has no intention of joining a club that cannot offer Champions League football.
Chelsea are also believed to be keen but Thomas Tuchel appeared to suggest that midfield was not a pressing issue for the club after his side's 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
That has left Barcelona stuck with De Jong but, according to The Athletic, the club wrote to the player on July 15 to tell him that they 'found evidence of criminal actions on behalf of the parties who signed his renewal' in October 2020.
De Jong was given a massive two-year extension by previous Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and is due to earn €20m (£16.8m) net this season and as much as €25m (£21m) the following campaign with deferred wages factored in.
Gerard Pique, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Clement Lenglet were all given new contracts at the same time and it's claimed they are having similar conversations with the club.
The letter reportedly says that Barcelona believe they are in a position to launch criminal proceedings to 'ascertain where responsibility resides for the supposed wrongdoing.'
De Jong has already been warned that if he stays at Barcelona he either needs to take a pay cut or find himself used from the bench (as he was in Sunday's friendly win over Pumas) or even as a centre-back (as he was on the US pre-season tour).
The club had hoped that the prospect of him not playing in his position in the lead-up to November's World Cup would make the player crack but so far he has held his ground.
Threat of legal action could therefore be a ploy to get De Jong to revert to his original contract and keep him at the club.
It's claimed the previous Barcelona board are 'confident' in the legality of the contract renewal signed by De Jong and that it was signed off by lawyers and LaLiga.
Barca's treatment of De Jong has been widely criticised. Gary Neville told the player to seek legal action and this week former Dutch goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus joined the attacks on Barcelona.
He said: 'I can no longer listen to the slogan 'Més Que Un Club' (more than a club). Barcelona is a commercial monstrosity, in my eyes it symbolises everything that makes modern football so ugly.'
Waterreus added: 'I hope he keeps his balance and stays unless they bully him further and wreck his own World Cup chances, in that case it would be better if he joined United.'
If Barcelona are successful in selling De Jong they will sign Silva from Manchester City.
The financial gain will come for them with the wages because the City midfielder will earn a fraction of the Dutch international's projected wages.
Yuucesuyz
2
why can't Barcelona let Frankie go on a loan for the rest of the season then return him to cover up for busquets when he leaves Barcelona. cause de Jong is one of the worlds best misfilders we will end up regretting once we permanently lose him the money wanted to be used to buy Marcos Alonso and benardo silver can be used to stabilize our economy at the moment.
footsy
0
Better release clause ? What clause is better than 400M? You not making any sense right now.. he signed a 5 year deal which means he was up for 2024… which means the new board will have time to renew and increase if they wish? Best players? He isn’t even part of first 11 when he can’t even bench Gavi and pedri at the moment ?
you are seeing it from a fans point of view. i agree which is the best pov. but, there are alot of sly tricks that can manipulate and inflate numbers. the board of barca is into some really shady stuff. can think of the pjanic and arthur deal, the recent inflation of numbers by paying 150m to firm to buy their shares which got caught by the spanish fa. also, bruno had a similar situ with man utd, he got a new contract within a year.
saroshsidhwa
0
not corrupt club but people who control it then I am sure u are Chelsea fan
A club is represented by the people who runs it. Its Barca whos doing frauds and bad politics. Ex or new both presidents are corrupt.
Colito
0
the most funny thing Messi became rich while Barcelona going bankrupt
yiaceiks
0
Frank is a player not a club he should know that,,, no matter what nither he takes the cut or leave,, that's it I don't see any thing big here
NorbuG
3
Omg!! Barca started blackmailing De Jong. De Jong must understand that if he doesn't move out Barca will go bankrup due to his salary package. Better move out.
KleverkayY
0
basically to give him a better release clause. to inflate the value of the club. keeping a good player on your books increases revenue and hype around the club and not to mention the political gain with fans, rivals, investors and sponsors. plus the player is also happy and the players around him are happy too.
Better release clause ? What clause is better than 400M? You not making any sense right now.. he signed a 5 year deal which means he was up for 2024… which means the new board will have time to renew and increase if they wish? Best players? He isn’t even part of first 11 when he can’t even bench Gavi and pedri at the moment ?
phemoranking
1
there is no big deal , for me I prefer he stay and the accept paycut , because dejong said no his going no where so de jong you have no option than too accept paycut.
footsy
0
It doesn’t make any sense for real.. a player was signed in 2019 and then just before the president left signed a new deal in 2020 for ambiguous amount? This is total nonsense … I haven’t heard or seen this before a club renewing a player just after a year he signed for your club?
basically to give him a better release clause. to inflate the value of the club. keeping a good player on your books increases revenue and hype around the club and not to mention the political gain with fans, rivals, investors and sponsors. plus the player is also happy and the players around him are happy too.
Willhen
2
How come Barcelona never sue Bartomeu in court to prove criminal liability by him? How can Barcelona expect to win this case?
18597076(deleted)
0
BARTOMEU MESSED BARCELONA...BARCA don't have MONEY and they're trying to SOLVE PAST MISTAKES,How can a Players WAGE be Increasing every SEASON...DE JONG's CONTRACT will BANKRUPT BARCELONA I'm Telling You
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It’s not uncommon to have incremental salary increases. I’m fairly sure most Barca contracts are like this.
KleverkayY
0
Is a shame Barcelona is bullying players, De Jong stand your ground firmly, no one can intimidate you, after all, you didn't beg them to sign you.
It’s a shame the former board was a scandal how can you renew a player you just signed 12 months ago on a bumper deal with extra years!!! It’s shady and they need to look into it
KleverkayY
3
It doesn’t make any sense for real.. a player was signed in 2019 and then just before the president left signed a new deal in 2020 for ambiguous amount? This is total nonsense … I haven’t heard or seen this before a club renewing a player just after a year he signed for your club?
saoklmrsu
0
Barcelona are not serious
Mc-anthony
0
The pain that Messi felt this day, Barcelona is going to feel it financially for a decade.
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but isn't ha part of the reason barca is going bankrupt
NotAFan⚽️⚽️
0
He is owed £17M but they Signed players over £150M so why are they complaining? They should clear the old debt before signing new players
Use logic
Wonder433
1
barca former board caused the problem
boubeinopr
1
Barcelona don't like his contract whereas man Utd or ten hag want him to be the main man in midfield and build around him with contract ready and he have the taught otherwise if he wants to play champions league that much with Barca he will be playing free for Barca lol
Mekbmopt
0
BARTOMEU MESSED BARCELONA...BARCA don't have MONEY and they're trying to SOLVE PAST MISTAKES,How can a Players WAGE be Increasing every SEASON...DE JONG's CONTRACT will BANKRUPT BARCELONA I'm Telling You
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He is owed £17M but they Signed players over £150M so why are they complaining? They should clear the old debt before signing new players
solomontochi
3
The pain that Messi felt this day, Barcelona is going to feel it financially for a decade.
29082989(deleted)
0
Lmao
saurav5105
0
Bartomeu opend charity for average Barcelona players..
Wueadilrst
0
Messi has destroyed the team before he left for PSG to make more money.
u chutiya u fucker has no rights to talk about messi
ExcelIbMo
2
Is a shame Barcelona is bullying players, De Jong stand your ground firmly, no one can intimidate you, after all, you didn't beg them to sign you.
ExcelIbMo
0
So Midfield is not a pressing issue for Tuchel, you want to rely on Kante, Jorginho and Kovacic, with no goals or assist from Midfield, is a pity. The only problem I have with De Jong is his outrageous wages.
Zuaioprty
0
Bartomeu and Lionel Messi destroyed Barcelona.
Zuaioprty
0
Messi has destroyed the team before he left for PSG to make more money.
Dukeman
0
my brothers... thats the problem i have with my club barcelona... they are brutal to dealing with their players... the best approach to this case is dialogue and plea... cos you have no case against him . honor his conract and pay him. ALAS!!
Dukeman
0
This is a funny one’ they’re not supposed to say this’ they need to plead with him’ they have no case against him.
my brother... thats the problem i have with my club... they are brutal to dealing with their players... the best approach to this case is dialogue and plea... cos you have no case against him . honor his conract and pay him. ALAS!!
teeacdlpr
0
They even sold their tv rights to themselves so that barca can manipulate their earnings.. what a scumbag club😂😂
useless 👎💩 clubs, legal action should be taken again them
the_truth_is_here
4
stupid club ..thier fans are happy they are spending money while selling the club bits by bits . they can't even registered bought players 😂. After spending usless amount of money they refused to pay thier players thier money. clown club and clown fans. you sign 6 new players and can't pay your current players lol
teeacdlpr
4
this garbage criminal club will suffer mark my words
saifulbahrie
0
...The Curse of Greedy Team..
Billings
0
This is a funny one’ they’re not supposed to say this’ they need to plead with him’ they have no case against him.
Beautifulboy
4
Can’t even imagine De Jong getting paid £250k a week and this man paid him over £400k a week. He really messed Barca up.
29082989(deleted)
2
Embarrassing football club💀😂
barcelonatill
0
My club doesn't want to reduce any player's salary, it has never asked players to lower their wages, it has never sold any TV rights to be able to survive, the difference is clear.
Even wt salary reduction ur best player is still dying to join them
pranv16
1
He should sue them for the deferred wages
NotAFan⚽️⚽️
4
BARTOMEU MESSED BARCELONA...BARCA don't have MONEY and they're trying to SOLVE PAST MISTAKES,How can a Players WAGE be Increasing every SEASON...DE JONG's CONTRACT will BANKRUPT BARCELONA I'm Telling You
pipbcdkrsy
0
our big journalists are on it again commenting what they dont know rival fans are funny barca will always b barca
thin_talltunde
0
Corrupt club. Hold em Dejong and take all as per contract.
not corrupt club but people who control it then I am sure u are Chelsea fan
thin_talltunde
0
many thing under the skirt
saroshsidhwa
2
Corrupt club. Hold em Dejong and take all as per contract.
doebcemtuz
0
He will stay at BARC for ever and ever ooo👍
Soempurna
0
My club doesn't want to reduce any player's salary, it has never asked players to lower their wages, it has never sold any TV rights to be able to survive, the difference is clear.
They even sold their tv rights to themselves so that barca can manipulate their earnings.. what a scumbag club😂😂
Kibdeiknoz
0
Barcelona are turning their anger of being poor to one player🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Did you read the part where it said Pique, Ter Stegen and Lenglet got the same letter or you're just reading upsidedown
momenhuda
0
Original contract is 14 million per year, but 2nd contract he took 3 m 1st year, 9 million 2nd year. 3rd season will be 18 million, 4th 5th even more. Now you told original contract, than you pay him 14 m per year, you owe him 16/17 million.
SMHellas
0
This shows complete desperation. They know they can't afford to pay his entitlements so now they threaten him. I accept if he moves, it's to Chelsea but gosh the way he's being treated by Barcelona shows it shouldn't be his dream club, and it is definitely far less of a club than other big clubs. That is not how you treat people!
Davidchris1999
1
They are richer Dan ur club in case u don't know
My club doesn't want to reduce any player's salary, it has never asked players to lower their wages, it has never sold any TV rights to be able to survive, the difference is clear.
barcelonatill
1
Barcelona are turning their anger of being poor to one player🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
They are richer Dan ur club in case u don't know