Barça's condition for De Jong to stay: he would have to be paid half!

Chelsea are pushing for De Jong. The Blues are in negotiations with Barça for the Dutchman and the name of Aubameyang has also come up in the talks. The deal could be done in the next few hours.

Chelsea and Barça understand each other, the problem lies with the player, whose desire is to continue under the orders of Xavi. The Catalan giants would be willing to continue counting on him, as Xavi has already said that he would be delighted to have him under his orders in the 2022-23 season. But, in order to be able to afford his continuity, the club needs him to accept a salary cut.

'Sport' claims that Barcelona have made it clear to him that, if he stays, he will not be paid more than 22 million between fixed and variable payments. That figure would be 50% less than his current salary.

The club has made it clear to De Jong: either he accepts or he will have to leave. Barça cannot afford to pay him what is stipulated in his contract right now. To remain a Barça player, he would have to return to the salary he had when he joined Barça.

The situation is quite complicated. Legally, De Jong has a signed contract and he can refuse to accept the reduction offered to him time and time again by the club.

Both De Jong and his entourage, at least so far, have been adamant. They refuse to allow De Jong to make the effort to lower his salary because if Barça have been able to afford a host of signings this summer, they don't understand why the Dutchman should have to lower his salary.

Xavi wanted to have a full squad and be able to count on all the players before the first La Liga game, but with two days to go before the opening game against Rayo Vallecano, the coach still does not know if he will be able to count on De Jong or, on the contrary, if he will head to England.