Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez has told midfielder Frenkie de Jong that he must be ready to receive ‘almost half’ his current salary if he wishes to remain at the club.
Manchester United and Chelsea are the two clubs keen on signing the Netherlands international this summer.
But Barcelona and the Premier League side have reached agreement for the transfer of the midfielder who is Erik ten Hag’s top summer transfer target.
The two clubs have reached agreement for a fee of £63million with a further potential £8.47million in add-ons.
Barcelona have also reportedly informed the Dutchman they need to sell him in order to alleviate some of the financial pressure on the club.
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However, the player is adamant he wants to remain at Nou Camp next season as Barcelona currently owe him the sum of €17m in deferred salary.
Publicly, Barcelona have maintained they do not wish to sell de Jong with club president Joan Laporta claiming on Sunday they have ‘turned down offers’ for the former Ajax star.
The manager categorically told the Dutch player that if he wants to stay at Nou Camp, he must lower his current salary ‘by almost half’.
Xavi also told de Jong during the meeting that he intends to give him plenty of game time in positions away from his usual midfield role. De Jong played as a central defender during their 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in a preseason match on Sunday.
