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Barcelona ordered to cut £177m from their wage bill ahead of next season as La Liga gets tough… with Man United targeting Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati among those who could be sold to free up cash
- LaLiga have told Barcelona to make significant cuts to solve financial problems
- Reports in Spain suggest stars like De Jong and Fati may have to be sold
- Manchester United have been linked to both players ahead of the summer.
Barcelona have been ordered to cut their wage bill by £177m in the summer, offering hope to Manchester United and others in the search for their star names.
LaLiga insists that the Camp Nou club will have to make more financial sacrifices if it wants to comply with league rules and that could result in the sale of high-profile players.
Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati, both linked with Manchester United, are reportedly two of those who might have to show the door to reduce the wage bill.
Sports world says Barcelona will insist that Dutch midfielder De Jong is not for sale, but his financial situation could persuade Erik ten Hag to sanction another manhunt for a player he greatly admires.
United were unable to agree a deal for De Jong last summer, with the star not wanting to leave Barcelona after the clubs agreed a £71m fee.
Frenkie de Jong (left) and Ansu Fati (right), both linked with Manchester United, are two of the big winners that Barcelona could be forced to sell in the summer due to LaLiga rules.
Erik ten Hag’s United are being linked with moves for both De Jong and Fati in the summer.
De Jong has a contract with Barcelona until 2026 and will earn around £78 million over the last four years after he agreed a restructuring to help the club mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With Barcelona under renewed pressure to reduce their wage bill, they may change their stance on selling De Jong if United or another club revive their interest.
Reports earlier this week suggested United are among a number of clubs interested in young striker Ansu Fati with his agent Jorge Mendes apparently approaching potential suitors.
The 20-year-old La Masia product Fati has struggled to gain playing time this season and Diario Sport reported interest in a player worth £90m.
It has been reported that Fati earns around £200,000 a week in Barcelona.
Other players who could be sacked to reduce the wage bill include Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Ousmane Dembele, Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie.
Busquets and Sergi are entering the last six months of their respective deals, making them more obvious candidates to leave in the summer.
United will get a close look at these potential targets when they take on Barcelona in the Europa League play-off in the next two weeks.
United agreed a fee to sign De Jong last summer but were unable to complete the move.
La Masia graduate Fati is one of Barcelona’s top talents, but they may have to capitalize on him.
It is clear that Barca president Joan Laporta (centre) will have to continue making sacrifices for the club to stick to financial rules.
The first leg will be played at the Camp Nou on Thursday of next week and the return at Old Trafford seven days later.
Having spent over £200m in Ten Hag’s first summer on the likes of Antony and Casemiro, United were unable to spend much in January.
Instead, they brought forward Wout Weghorst on loan and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer as emergency cover for the injured Christian Eriksen.
However, Ten Hag will be waiting for more funding this summer to move forward, especially if United return to Champions League football.