Frenkie de Jong could leave Barcelona in the summer, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain linked with a transfer for the midfielder.
Talks between both parties over a contract renewal have stalled and the player is not ruling out a departure, according to reports in Spain.
Barça sporting director Deco has tried to initiate negotiations over a new deal that would extend his contract until 2029 while spreading his salary over a longer period, claim Sport.
The Dutchman is reportedly due in excess of €20 million in the final two years of his contract, which expires in 2026, after deferring some of his wages during the coronavirus pandemic to help ease the club’s financial burden.
De Jong has previously stated his intention to remain at Camp Nou for years to come despite Barcelona’s attempts to sell him in the past, but the 26-year-old “would no longer close the door to a possible exit” in the summer transfer window if an offer from another club was tabled.
With the chances of a new deal appearing slim, Barcelona would now “consider” selling De Jong, who joined from Ajax for an initial €75m in 2019, but would demand a hefty transfer fee to do so.
Chelsea are said to be “willing” to pay up to €100m for the player, although that seems a fanciful notion given the Blues’ financial fair play concerns.
Man United “absolutely maintain their interest” in De Jong after being linked with signing him in the past, while PSG have included him in their “portfolio” of potential transfer targets.
Deco, however, has said it would be a “mistake” to sell De Jong.
Meanwhile, Sport also claim that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez wants to leave Stamford Bridge and join Barcelona. The Argentine is tied to the club until 2032.
January XI – The best signings in the transfer window
See Also – Five forwards who could replace Kylian Mbappe at PSG
