Barcelona have a pact with superstar to discuss salary reduction at the end of the year

During the summer transfer window, Barcelona tried hard to get rid of midfield superstar Frenkie de Jong as they sought to shed his massive wages off their books amidst financial struggles.

The Blaugrana had even reached an agreement with Manchester United to sell him for a total fee of €85 million (including bonuses). However, the 25-year-old refused to budge and fought to stay put at Spotify Camp Nou.

There had been talks with Chelsea as well, but given the midfielder’s reluctance to leave, Barcelona finally relented and accepted that the Netherlands will stay put at the club.

But Barça did try and force him to agree to a pay cut if he was to remain at the club, which involved pressure tactics like playing him out of position during pre-season. But de Jong did not agree to take a reduction in wages despite staying at Spotify Camp Nou.

However, journalist Adria Soldevila on Cadena SER has now made some fresh revelations claiming that de Jong and Barcelona president had reached a pact in the summer that the midfielder can stay at the club if he is willing to discuss a salary cut at the end of the year.

During the summer, Barça had even threatened legal action over de Jong’s contract as they deemed it to be invalid. However, as per the aforementioned report, they will not pursue that course of action anymore.

But, discussions will take place with the midfielder’s camp over a reduction in his salary, which is said to be around €37.5 million gross for the 2022/23 campaign, which makes him the second-highest paid player in La Liga in terms of gross salaries.

De Jong has lost his starting spot at Barça this season, with Xavi preferring the trio of Pedri, Sergio Busquets and Gavi. Even then, the Dutchman has done well whenever given a chance coming off the bench or in the odd games he has started.