Xavi has asked Frenkie de Jong to take a pay cut in order to remain at Barcelona for the coming season. The Netherlands international currently earns a salary worth €30 million per season, which the board sees as disproportionate.
As a result, the manager has held talks with the player to try and take a pay cut worth up to 50% in order to remain at the club. He has confirmed that the player is an integral part of his plans, but that the finances must be taken care of in order to remain at Camp Nou.
Xavi asks Frenkie de Jong to take pay cut to stay at Barcelona
“Frenkie? I don’t send messages. I spoke with him. I like him a lot,” he said.
“For me, he is a fundamental footballer but there is also the economic situation and fair play. He can bring us a lot as a centre-back. I like him in that position.”
Pre-season hasn’t seen the player feature a lot. He came on as a substitute, and was used in the centre-back position, which is not natural for him. Moreover, with the likes of Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo at the club, it seems strange why Xavi would want him to play in central defense.
Manchester United have agreed a fee with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, but the player is not willing to move to Old Trafford just yet. If he doesn’t take a wage cut, the board will have to force him out of the club this summer.
