Barcelona need to sell de Jong to ease the financial burden

De Jong is a transfer target for United. The Red Devils' new coach Erik Ten Hag is hoping to reunite with his students who work at Ajax.

Last week, chairman Joan Laporta announced that Barcelona had no intention of selling the 25-year-old midfielder. But according to Marca, Laporta's announcement may have been simply an attempt to price De Jong. Because if the Dutch player stays, Barca must pay him $90 million over the remaining four years of his contract. That's the amount the Nou Camp agreed to pay De Jong when they recruited him in 2019. As a result, De Jong receives about $14 million a year. But due to the impact of Covid-19, Barca have proposed delaying the payment and will pay it once the club's finances stabilize again.

De Jong accepted the proposed pay cut and received only $3 million for the 2020-2021 season, compared with $9.3 million last season. As a result, his salary could rise to $18 million next season. In addition, it is said that Barcelona still owes De Jong a bonus of 3 million US dollars.

Next season, 2023-2024, Barcelona will even have to pay De Jong more salary, about $27.7 million, to solve the debt since the epidemic. The agreement between the two sides also calls for Barca to pay more for De Jong if he helps the club win the title or reach the Champions League final. That could be as high as $8.2 million, equivalent to more than $2 million a year.

Last summer, the financial crisis caused Barcelona to lose top star Lionel Messi. Until now, as the situation improves, Barcelona still needs to tighten their belts and try to recruit free transfer players. Catalan football team sold 10% of the revenue from TV broadcasting rights in the next 25 years to solve the difficulties. Barca could earn $87 million if they agree to sell De Jong to Manchester United.