Summer at Old Trafford is not a real transfer window without a saga of some sort, and this year’s main character is Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutch midfielder worked under new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag at previous club Ajax, where he cemented himself as Europe’s best young midfielder at the time.
Since moving to Catalonia, his best form has not quite been there as consistently as hoped, and Ten Hag is keen to reunite with his former player as he looks to rebuild United’s empire.
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Such is Ten Hag’s desire to bring De Jong to Manchester that he considers the player fundamental to his entire system at United.
De Jong would be United’s fourth summer signing, after left back Tyrell Malacia joined earlier this summer and midfielder Christian Eriksen was announced with defender Lisandro Martínez this week.
But the player is reportedly not so keen to join, still convinced that he wants to remain at his dream club. He is also owed €17 million in deferred wages by the club, and wants this money back.
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United have actually had a fee reportedly agreed with Barcelona for the player for some weeks now, but the contract remains the current issue and biggest stumbling block.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke about the situation surrounding the Dutch midfielder.
Laporta began by saying that Barca would like to keep the player, and that the player would also like to remain at the club.
“The first thing to say is we want Frenkie to stay at Barcelona. We love the player and him as a human being-
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“I want him to stay at Barcelona. He's a high-quality player and a good guy. I also know that he wants to stay.”
Laporta then mentioned the 25-year-old’s complex contract situation, “All we are doing with Frenkie is the same as the rest of the squad. The signings coming in have adjusted their salary to the new structure.
“But Frenkie has a contract and we respect that. We can't force him to take a pay cut. It's his decision. We are trying to manage the football club in a prudent and sustainable way.
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“So we have to have these talks and we do so in a calm and considered way. We have explained the situation and are grateful to any players who can help us.
“It was the same with Dembele and I am very grateful to him. And after months of talks, he accepted a renegotiation of his salary and he can be proud of his decision.”
These comments very much feel like Joan Laporta is trying to gaslight his player into accepting a lower salary at Barcelona in order to help his dream club.
It has been a hotly debated topic, with one former United player even suggesting he take legal action against the Spanish giants.
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When asked about what happens if De Jong remains without a pay cut, he said “Then he will continue. Has has a contract. We will respect that decision. For us, he's a Barcelona player. We count on him.”
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He did not rule out the possibility of the Dutchman’s departure though. “In football, you never know. I can't say categorically. It all depends on the different parties.
“But in principle, I can say there is a strong possibility he stays, and I can say as president I will do my best for him to stay at Barcelona.”
Gary Neville weighed his thoughts on the situation, advising De Jong to take legal action against Barcelona.
Returning to the suggestion of legal action, Laporta was asked about his thoughts on this. “I insist we are respecting all our players. We follow the contracts.
“If we invest in new players it's to make the club more competitive. It's a circle: You invest in new players, the fans engage and that in turn improves our economy.”
“Gary has been a very good football player for Manchester United. I respect his opinion and that's all I have to say.”
He also dismissed the idea proposed by the head of the Dutch players union chairman that Barcelona are extorting the midfielder.
“There is no extortion being used on Frenkie or anyone else. I respect his opinion, but if talks between two parties counts as extortion then I think this guy is wrong.”
The president was asked his opinion on players being made to take pay cuts, and whether or not it is morally right that Barcelona spend their recent income on new players rather than deferred wages.
“The club has a payroll that's 40% higher than our competitors. We have to reduce this and it's not easy. But the players we are talking about – who have taken pay cuts – all love Barça.”
“They reduced their salaries for the love of the club. All the players, new and old, understand the constraints. And they want to be artists who bring Barcelona back. They are aware they can be part of one of the most splendorous periods in the club's history.
“I respect any opinion, but when people form this view they often don't have enough information to make such a statement. To me, the players we have signed this summer are investments not expenses.
“And our existing players understand this perfectly. The new signings adjust their salaries to the new structure that we have created and all we ask is the current squad, where possible, do the same.
“People outside the club don't have all the information. We have to act this way or the club will probably disappear. We are not risking the club.
“On the contrary. I love Barcelona. So you can imagine, I don't take any decisions that risk the future of the club and our 122 years of history.”
“It will be very difficult for anyone to damage the club with me as president because I am here to protect Barcelona. We have been so brave during difficult times and I know the fans believe in us.
“I feel the confidence and trust of the fans and what I want to do is bring back the splendorous times from my first period as president.”
These comments once again feel like an attempt to almost gaslight Frenkie de Jong, making the player believe it is his fault for not accepting a pay cut so readily rather than the club’s fault for the chaotic manner in which they have been run for many years.
Referencing the club’s great history and its fanbase only seeks to place further pressure on the midfielder to simply accept a pay cut, when he should not have to.
Finally, Laporta denied that he offered De Jong to Chelsea’s Todd Boehly. “No, no, no. We had a very nice dinner in Barcelona and we talked in general about football. He is a very successful businessman.”
Topics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Frenkie De Jong, Barcelona, Joan Laporta, Transfers, Chelsea
Yusuf Haq