New Twist In The Endless Frenkie De Jong Saga As Barcelona Consider Loan Move

In a desperate attempt to offload Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona are now considering loaning out the midfielder ahead of the new season. 

After completing high profile signings of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha from Bayern Munich and Leeds United, the club are keen to get rid of the Dutch midfielder’s high wages in order to stay within La Liga’s salary cap limitations. 

According to Spanish news outlet SPORT, the new solution to solve Barcelona’s ‘De Jong problem’ is to loan out the 25-year-old. 

It was reported earlier this month that Barcelona and Manchester United have reached an agreement over a deal to bring De Jong to Old Trafford. 

Barcelona would receive an initial fee of £63 million, plus a further £8.4 million in performance related add ons. 

However, despite the agreement between the two clubs, the player has been reluctant to leave Spain for Manchester. 

The registration of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski is not guaranteed at Barcelona.

If Frenkie de Jong refuses to leave or take a pay-cut, Barça will have a HUGE problem.

Via @Alfremartinezz pic.twitter.com/S8laDbWeGs

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) July 27, 2022

The La Liga side did offer De Jong a future at the Camp Nou, but for that to happen the midfielder was asked to take a 40% pay cut, which De Jong refused. Barcelona are yet to pay deferred wages worth €17 million to the Dutch international. 

It is believed that new United manager Erik ten Hag is desperate for the club to sign De Jong. The former Ajax coach sees De Jong as a vital part of his plans at Old Trafford. 

🚨 #MUFC are NOT giving up on the prospect of signing Frenkie de Jong as there is a 'belief' a deal is there to be done. 🔴

SSN understand that United are keeping alternatives 'warm' should a deal for De Jong fail to materialise.👀 pic.twitter.com/XIWkfGWWpw

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 28, 2022

According to multiple reports, Ten Hag spoke to De Jong on the phone to explain his role at United, stating that the midfielder would be the ‘conductor of the orchestra’. 

Apart from United, clubs like Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping tabs on the situation. The midfielder would be interested in joining them as they can offer Champions League football, which United are not able to. 

However, Chelsea and Bayern are unlikely to match United’s offer, therefore the Catalan club are considering the loan option. 

According to the report by SPORT, Barcelona would be looking to include an obligation to make the loan transfer permanent for a fee of around €80 million next year. 

La Liga president Javier Tebas on Barça asking Frenkie de Jong to reduce his salary: "The players cannot be split from the team or pressured - it's what collective agreement, the Law, reason, ethics mark". ⚠️ #FCB

"From there, Barcelona knows the rules and the responsibilities".

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2022

With the new season fast approaching, it remains to be seen where De Jong will be playing when the campaign gets underway.

De Jong is currently with the Barcelona squad for their pre season tour of the United States, they are next in action this weekend as they face MLS side, New York Red Bulls.