Barcelona have told Frenkie de Jong he must leave the club this summer, according to reports in Spain. The Catalans are believed to have agreed a deal with Manchester United to sell the Dutch international midfielder but he is refusing to leave as Barca still owe him €17m in deferred wages.
Serious financial difficulties mean the La Liga giants are desperate to offload De Jong, which would reportedly save them up to €35m per-year as they continue to sign other players. But the wage issue has become a sticking point for the 25-year-old amid conflicting claims over how willing he is to reunite with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
United sent a delegation to Spain over the weekend to finalise a deal and although it appears the two clubs are now in harmony, De Jong won't budge unless Barca pay up. But now Mundo Deportivo say the club's hierarchy have issued the player with a desperate request that he leave the club.
Barcelona were claimed to have previously offered De Jong a wage cut, which he refused to accept. The outstanding €17m stems from players being asked to defer their salaries at the height of the Covid-19 crisis.
Meanwhile, United look to be closing in on a deal for Ajax star Lisandro Martinez despite competition from Arsenal. Multiple reports indicate they've agreed a €55m package with Ajax to sign the Argentine centre-back.
Ten Hag is also interested in Ajax' winger Antony. He's already added Tyrell Malacia to his ranks and is set to snap up free agent Christian Eriksen.
