Frenkie de Jong’s future remains uncertain, amid continued interest from Man United and Chelsea, with the midfielder’s situation at Barcelona unsettled.
Rafael van der Vaart, a former Ajax player who was capped 109 times by the Netherlands national team, slammed Barcelona’s treatment of the central midfielder this summer, adding that the club’s global reputation has now become “very awful.”
It comes amid a protracted transfer drama involving De Jong, with both Manchester United and Chelsea interested. After holding fresh discussions with the player, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag recently told his team to be patient on a deal, although the Blues are reported to be growing increasingly optimistic of gaining his signing.
While United have agreed on an initial cost with the Catalan club for a trade that would reunite De Jong with his former Ajax manager Ten Hag, no final agreement has been reached. Chelsea have expressed an interest in outbidding Manchester United in the trade, which has been ongoing for three months. Blues executives have made contact with Barcelona and met with De Jong’s representation, and they are now major candidates to bring him away from United.
Van der Vaart’s remarks come amid claims that De Jong’s contract predicament has generated stress in the Barcelona dressing room, and the player was insulted by a group of Blaugrana fans outside their training facilities on Wednesday, prompting calls to reduce his wages. One of the main reasons for the lengthy process is that De Jong owes Barcelona €17 million in amortizations and past payments.
Van van Vaart responded to reports that Barcelona has given De Jong an ultimatum to cut his wage in half or quit the club: “You cannot treat individuals in this manner. Frenkie makes too much money? You sign a contract, then either fulfill it or depart on good terms, but not like this. This is mafia, and they must be punished.”
De Jong did not start Barcelona’s first La Liga match of the season, instead coming on as a substitute on the hour mark as his team was held to a frustrating scoreless draw at home by Rayo Vallecano.
Van der Vaart, a former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur player, remarked of the Catalan club: “Barça’s reputation has significantly deteriorated. Everyone wants to play at this fantastic club. But for the time being, we view it differently, and I think it’s. a disgrace that you play for them.”
Van van Vaart also questioned how Barcelona could sign Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Frank Kessie, Andreas Christensen, and Raphinha this summer while having over €1.1 billion in debt. “How can you purchase players when you don’t have any money?” he added. “It’s a disgrace, in my opinion. And Laporta, with his enormous head, who keeps smiling everywhere. This individual believes he is the king. But I think he’s a complete moron.”