FC Barcelona threaten Frenkie de Jong with legal action over his contract amid Man United interest

Barcelona have told Frenkie de Jong that they want to declare his existing contract as “invalid” and return back to the old deal that he was on before.

The Catalan club believe that the terms given to him by the club’s previous board involved criminality and provide grounds for legal action against all those involved.

David Ornstein from The Athletic has stated that the club have now resorted to forcing players to forego their old contracts and adjust to new, decreased salary terms.

Frenkie de Jong in action for FC Barcelona. (Alamy)

Barcelona are going through some serious financial problems and they have been trying to improve their situation by the sale of De Jong or reaching an agreement with him in terms of his payment.

However, De Jong is not ready to accept the terms as he first intends to get the money owed to him by the club since he joined the club.

Manchester United have already launched a bid for De Jong in July and it was accepted by Barcelona.

But issues on the player’s side including the outstanding money owed to him have stalled any progress of a transfer.

Ornstein cites his sources in Spain, stating that Barcelona wrote to De Jong on July 15, claiming they found evidence of criminal actions on behalf of the parties who signed his renewal on October 20, 2020.

This deal meant that his contract was extended for two more years until 2026, reducing his salary for 2020-23 and 2021-22 season, meaning €18million had to be spread across the upcoming four seasons.

In their letter to Frenkie De Jong last month, Barcelona are said to have informed the Dutchman that the club are in a position to initiate criminal proceedings against the player as he was involved in a supposed wrongdoing with a proven corrupt set of people.

De Jong signed a contract renewal with Barcelona in 2020 (Image: Alamy)

The Athletic further adds that the previous board are confident in the legalities of De Jong’s contract in 2020 and insist that the deal was agreed after approval from legal and La Liga.

Barcelona are reported to have initiated similar procedures with Gerard Pique and Marc Andre Ter Stegen.

However, it has not been confirmed whether the issues have turned legal in nature.

Frenkie De Jong, meanwhile, has always preferred to stay on at Barcelona, but the current condition looks like he will have to leave the club against his wishes.

Frenkie de Jong in discussion with Erik ten Hag at Ajax in 2019. (Alamy)

Chelsea and Manchester United are both interested in securing his services.

It is yet to be confirmed where he ends up playing in the 2022/23 season.