Frenkie de Jong copped an earful from Barcelona fans on Wednesday as tension grows over his contract situation. Angry supporters shouted at the Dutch international midfielder as he arrived at the club's training base.
Barcelona want De Jong to accept a salary cut to help relieve financial sanctions currently stopping their new signings being registered. The 25-year-old is already owed a substantial amount in wages after agreeing to defer €17million at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Barca have reportedly agreed a deal to sell the former Ajax star to Manchester United, where his ex-manager Erik ten Hag is desperate to sign him. But it's believed De Jong does not want to leave the Nou Camp and is also refusing to lower his pay.
Earlier this week, it was claimed Barcelona have threatened legal action after saying they've discovered alleged "evidence of criminality" in the new deal the previous board negotiated with the player. Club bosses want him to revert to his previous contract terms.
The situation is being followed closely by fans and a group made their feelings towards De Jong clear as he drove past, with one shouting "lower your salary, b***h!" - according to Spanish outlet Diario Sport .
It follows striker Martin Branthwaite receiving a hostile reception from Barcelona fans as he emerged from the tunnel for Sunday's friendly against Pumas. Branthwaite is among a number of other fringe players under pressure to depart but it's believed the Dane is refusing to go unless Barca pay up on the remaining two years of his contract.
New signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie and Jules Kounde are among the players the Blaugrana are currently blocked from registering ahead of their new La Liga campaign, which kicks off on Satuday against Rayo Vallecano.
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