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Frenkie de Jong set for Barcelona contract talks next summer?

Frenkie de Jong set for Barcelona contract talks next summer?
© Reuters
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is reportedly set to discuss a salary adjustment with president Joan Laporta next summer.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is reportedly set to hold discussions with president Joan Laporta over a "salary adjustment" next year.

The 25-year-old was relentlessly pursued by Manchester United in the summer transfer window following the arrival of ex-Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.

Man United were said to have agreed a fee with Barcelona, which would have pocketed the Catalan giants as much as €85m (£75.9m) with performance-related add-ons.

Despite Barcelona's apparent desire to complete a sale and boost their coffers, De Jong remained defiant and refused to leave the club who still owe him millions in deferred wages.

Man United were ultimately unsuccessful in their efforts to lure the Netherlands international away from Camp Nou, and he remains tied down to Barcelona until 2026.

Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona on April 18, 2022© Reuters

De Jong's deferred wages were a key factor in his decision to snub the Red Devils, with the midfielder penning an extension under the Josep Maria Bartomeu reign in 2020.

At one stage in the summer, Barcelona were allegedly threatening to take legal action over De Jong's contract after finding supposed evidence of criminality in negotiations.

While such an occurrence did not come to anything, YouTube channel Que T'hi Jugues reports that De Jong and Barcelona will sit down to talk money next summer.

The midfielder and Laporta are both said to be determined to strike a positive solution, which could end up derailing Man United's hopes of any future bids.

De Jong recently lifted the lid on the summer transfer saga with the Red Devils, and he affirmed that he maintained a calm composure throughout due to his desire to stay put in Catalonia.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag pictured on September 8, 2022© Reuters

"I always wanted to stay at Barcelona and this is why I always remained calm in the summer," De Jong told a press conference after arriving for international duty with the Netherlands.

Man United concluded a deal with Real Madrid for Casemiro after conceding defeat in their pursuit of De Jong, but there has been speculation that the 20-time English champions could revisit their interest in January.

The ex-Ajax man has recorded 14 goals and 18 assists in 148 outings for the Catalan giants in all tournaments since 2019, although he has only started four of his side's eight games this season.

Gavi and Pedri have become regulars in Xavi's midfield, and De Jong is also competing with the likes of Franck Kessie and Sergio Busquets, although the latter is expected to leave when his contract expires next summer.

De Jong started for the Netherlands in their Nations League win over Poland earlier this week, but he was taken off at half time with a thigh injury and has since left the camp alongside teammate Memphis Depay.

Barcelona have also been handed injury concerns with Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele and Ronald Araujo ahead of their return to La Liga action against Mallorca on October 1.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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