Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

Frenkie to United?


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Woziak

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Thats exactly the case. If he plays out the entire contract the big boosts in wages over the coming years are supposed to be a form of compensation for the wage reductions YoY.

Barca don't actually owe him a "debt", he's currently being paid as per his contract. Barca are trying to sell him to get out of those massive upcoming wages and FDJ is seeing this as "lost wages". Which is where a payout deal is supposed to be the sticking point if he leaves.
Are we sure the impression given was his basic salary when signing was €22M and covid then broke out, where a €9m and €12m from that basic salary was deferred over the duration of the remainder of his 5 year contract in which case if this is true, the player would be paid €29 per season for next three years and you wonder why they want him out and he’s digging his heals in, I really think this is nearer to the truth and if so why on earth did United get involved in such a mess in the first place, If Klopp or Pep wanted him, the owners would soon explain to both managers why this transfer was never happening.
 

largelyworried

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The thing for United is that the alternatives people are suggesting - players like Tielemans or Neves - are not only big drop offs in terms of quality, but they look like they'll be available late into the transfer window. For me it makes sense to leave this as long as possible before cutting our losses.

If we were at risk of losing out on players from other clubs, it would be different. But as it stands the only problems we face are a slightly disrupted pre-season and egg on our face. Not ideal, but not the end of the world.

It feels like Barcelona are desperate to get rid of FDJ. If he stays, Barca lose out on the transfer fee and the wages saved and still have to pay the deferred amount. So Barca are strongly incentivised to come up with a compromise with FDJ. Its better for them to just pay him the deferred amount and then sell him, since they're paying it in any case.

It also seems that, if he's pushed out, he'd come to United. He can't be forced to leave but he might find himself with vastly reduced playing time and end up being sold next summer anyway, having lost a year of his career. Or worse, he might see next to no football and lose his form by the time the world cup comes around. Whether he stays or he leaves, this isnt really what he wants.

Overall it feels like the deck is stacked in favour of the move happening. We obviously want it, Barcelona really want it and while FDJ doesn't, he probably also doesn't want the realistic alternative, sitting on the bench for a year before being sold anyway. My guess is United see it this way and are happy to let it play out for another couple of weeks before moving away. As long as they leave themselves time to get a replacement before 1st Sept, I think they're playing a difficult situation well.
 

WPMUFC

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Yeah, I think this is getting lost in the void. Barcelona don't actually owe him a "debt". I think i got confused by this as well last week. There is no "wage debt" outstanding. The wage cuts he took led to a new contract. Barcelona have promised to pay him inflated wages over that contract lifespan as almost a way of "repayment", but FDJ is getting paid what he's owed. The scummy part is that Barcelona are now doing everything possible to sell him before the huge payments are due, FDJ rightly sees this as "lost wages" even though legally they aren't. Because if FDJ leaves for MUFC then that's the end of the Barca contract.

So FDJ is using the Barca - MUFC fee agreement to say "hey, if you feckers are selling me, I want a pay out for lost wages or i'm staying"
 

Brownie85

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I think there’s a secret fourth option people aren’t considering. Frenkie knows Barca are trying to force him out or take a big pay cut, so even though he doesn’t wanna leave - he hints to his ex manager that he might be willing to join him if he’s forced to leave. All the while he privately wants to fight tooth and nail to stay at Barca. It gives him an out in case Barca really do something drastic like try to freeze him out but at the end he doesn’t wanna leave and has no intention of leaving.

So unless Barca actually freeze him out - no training with the team, no pre season, no game time, he fancies just staying knowing at some point in the season someone will get injured, he’ll get a chance (cos Barca can’t afford to keep someone they’re paying so much to on the sidelines forever) and he backs himself to become a regular there again and see this out.
Here lies the problem. Why would you lie and deceive a manager you have a fantastic relationship with just for giggles. If he ever wants to Work with Ten Hag in the future, either at United or elsewhere you wouldn't burn your bridges by lying to him.

I'm sure there is massive mutual respect between them both. If de Jong said: "Look boss, I understand how much you want me there but I'm happy here and I'd like to stay regardless of whether a solution is found to my current problem" then Ten Hag would accept that and we'd move on. We've proved that we do that with Timber and Brobbey. For us to stick around this much, de Jong must want to join if he's paid what he's owed by Barca
 

the_cliff

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Do you mean relevance as in, they can then pay off FDJ in order to make him leave and therefore get the £60m ish from United?
Because before the lever was activated they had trouble with cashflow ? They didn't just spend 100 odd million on Lewa and Raphinha ?
 

RedMilo

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Graham Hunter is a Barcelona fan and is saying that it’s mostly FDJ fault because he wants to prove himself as a top player at Barcelona because As I previously suggested, he’s not exactly been brilliant whilst playing there. The club see him is the most logical sellable asset for raising funds and reducing a bloated wage bill.

Barcelona are signing new players with the draw of playing for Barcelona, yes they are paying quite high transfer fees and agents fees but even Lewandowski has signed on for a rumoured €17m Euros per season or a pay cut from Bayern. I would not be surprised if players like Kessie and Christensen have signed on .€6m per season and Raphina €8m. Why are they doing this, simple new Uefa FFP is demanding that by season 24/25 a club can only spend 70% of their total revenue on wages, transfer and agent fees. Barcelona during the Messi days we’re paying 110%, which is why they are in so much financial trouble today.

The club simply want him gone as he’s on €22M per season going forward for the next three seasons and they want to change their wage structure, With only Busquets, Lewandowski and Dembele near that wage. They just don’t want him which is what Graham Hunter reported, because after their diabolical season last year, they can’t justify his wage or place in the team. Their request for paying his deferred payments owed from his reduced salary to contract of £18m being paid by then over 3 years, he wants it one instalment. It’s going to get nasty in the next two weeks because they can not register any player until they sell him.
Thanks for the context.

I know they want rid of FDJ for the sake of the wage structure as much as anything, but can you see any other way for them to achieve FFP with La Liga by selling only other 'fringe' players and not FDJ? It may explain why they are not forcefully booting him out.
 

sewey89

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I'm sure we were also given assurances from Ramos, Fabregas and plenty of other players that took us along for a ride as well.
Ramos was after a new contract. I'm not sure how Fabregas 'took us for a ride'.

What is Frenkie's reason for (presumably) telling EtH he wants to join if he doesn't?
 

Ole's screen

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Here lies the problem. Why would you lie and deceive a manager you have a fantastic relationship with just for giggles. If he ever wants to Work with Ten Hag in the future, either at United or elsewhere you wouldn't burn your bridges by lying to him.

I'm sure there is massive mutual respect between them both. If de Jong said: "Look boss, I understand how much you want me there but I'm happy here and I'd like to stay regardless of whether a solution is found to my current problem" then Ten Hag would accept that and we'd move on. We've proved that we do that with Timber and Brobbey. For us to stick around this much, de Jong must want to join if he's paid what he's owed by Barca
Because he wants to keep an option open. He would rather join than be stuck in the reserves, but he really doesn’t wanna leave. It’s not a lie or a deception. It’s just how the politics of football work sometimes.
 

the_cliff

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Why would he or his representatives give us assurances he is willing to come? What do they have to gain from that? A new contract? The only new contract he is getting offered from Barca would be a massive reduction.

So either:
  • We have spoke, he has said "no" and we are still pursuing him.
  • We haven't spoke after all this time, and we have no idea if he will come, which means we are either still negotiating a fee with Barca or we have agreed a few but just refuse to offer him terms.
  • We have spoke, he has said he will come, but he is not leaving his €17m on the table and him and Barca are locked in a game of chicken to see who will pay/walk away first.
One of those scenarios makes sense to me, the other two don't.
Or (which is the most likely scenario)
Barca AND De Jong are negotiating and exploring ways of keeping him and if it isn't possible we're plan B.
 

Brownie85

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Because he wants to keep an option open. He would rather join than be stuck in the reserves, but he really doesn’t wanna leave. It’s not a lie or a deception. It’s just how the politics of football work sometimes.
And I'm sure Ten Hag knows he'd rather stay but de Jong has also probably admitted to him that to stay he needs to take a pay cut and he doesn't want to do that. Therefor his only real option is to leave but he wants what he's owed.

It would make no sense for United to stick around of there was a high chance he stays, its a waste of everyone's time
 

Brownie85

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Or (which is the most likely scenario)
Barca AND De Jong are negotiating and exploring ways of keeping him and if it isn't possible we're plan B.
They have explored it, it involves a huge pay cut and that's a non starter for de Jong if reporters are to be believed... so they want to sell.

Even Laporta said for him to stay he needs to take a big pay cut, why should he when he's already done that?
 

Smores

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Here lies the problem. Why would you lie and deceive a manager you have a fantastic relationship with just for giggles. If he ever wants to Work with Ten Hag in the future, either at United or elsewhere you wouldn't burn your bridges by lying to him.

I'm sure there is massive mutual respect between them both. If de Jong said: "Look boss, I understand how much you want me there but I'm happy here and I'd like to stay regardless of whether a solution is found to my current problem" then Ten Hag would accept that and we'd move on. We've proved that we do that with Timber and Brobbey. For us to stick around this much, de Jong must want to join if he's paid what he's owed by Barca
You've jumped to an extreme there though. He's probably been clear that he'd join us if Barca push him out and if they pay him compensation or we cover it. There's no messing about ETH.

Given his talent we've probably made the assessment it's worth the risk to see what happens.
 

WPMUFC

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They have explored it, it involves a huge pay cut and that's a non starter for de Jong if reporters are to be believed... so they want to sell.

Even Laporta said for him to stay he needs to take a big pay cut, why should he when he's already done that?
and the Barca director made it clear FDJ's wages made him the one to sell because it's the simplest way to boost fair play thresholds.
 

Brownie85

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and the Barca director made it clear FDJ's wages made him the one to sell because it's the simplest way to boost fair play thresholds.
Yup so there is no exploring other options, it's a case that he either takes a big pay cut to stay, or he's sold to "help the club"
 

Sarni

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Are we sure the impression given was his basic salary when signing was €22M and covid then broke out, where a €9m and €12m from that basic salary was deferred over the duration of the remainder of his 5 year contract in which case if this is true, the player would be paid €29 per season for next three years and you wonder why they want him out and he’s digging his heals in, I really think this is nearer to the truth and if so why on earth did United get involved in such a mess in the first place, If Klopp or Pep wanted him, the owners would soon explain to both managers why this transfer was never happening.
I don't think we can even pay him €22m a year without breaking our wage structure, let alone compensate for his deferred salary.
 

Plant0x84

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He signed a contract worth x amount of money for x amount of years. They owe him every penny he hasn't been paid up to this point.
The contract was renegotiated and the bulk of wages pushed back over a further 2 years. He been paid correctly as per his new contract up to this point, hence the standoff.
 
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Sarni

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Yup so there is no exploring other options, it's a case that he either takes a big pay cut to stay, or he's sold to "help the club"
He cannot be forced to take a paycut. He has valid contract until 2026 and can just stay. I don't think him lowering his wage demands is even being considered by his camp, there is literally zero reason for him to agree to that.
 

Sarni

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Or (which is the most likely scenario)
Barca AND De Jong are negotiating and exploring ways of keeping him and if it isn't possible we're plan B.
The only way for them to keep him is to just honor his contract. There is nothing to negotiate in that case.

All the theories about him agreeing to 50% paycut to stay are just nonsense. Nobody in the world would do that.
 

romufc

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There is already evidence of this with Timber and Brobbey to a degree. In for both players, realized it won't happen and promptly walked away to pursue other targets.

Not to mention we've signed three players (and agreed on the fee for the FDJ deal) already, it's not like we've been doing nothing.
I'm sorry, what? We have seen evidence of the Brobbey deal? Like we were seriously interested in him.

When and where in my post have I stated we haven't done anything?
 

Berbaclass

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He cannot be forced to take a paycut. He has valid contract until 2026 and can just stay. I don't think him lowering his wage demands is even being considered by his camp, there is literally zero reason for him to agree to that.
Also by taking a pay cut he's essentially giving up the money he would be paid back by the deferment. No way he does this in my opinion.
 

romufc

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I agree that in the past we have done exactly that, but we wouldn't go as far as agreeing a fee for a player for us to have no idea if he actually wants to join. That's just stupidity of the highest level possible. It just wouldn't happen.

Conversations have obviously taken place and de Jong had said he's happy to come if the situation can be resolved. Of course his preference is to stay but Barca can't make that happen without a huge pay cut and he won't take that.
Yeah, which is why it doesn't fill me with confidence. Also, people are acting as if time is going to resolve thigs. We need to start getting things done.

Yeah, conversations might have taken place but if Barca do not give him his money owed, he isn't leaving.
 

Berbaclass

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I agree with you mate, keep threads open! Especially this one, we will not give up!

I have been refreshing this thread evey 5 mins for 2 months now,not going to stop now thats for sure :cool:
It's like some people can’t be bothered to read the thread so selfishly want it closed. Weird.

If people want updates only just use the transfer tweets thread or the feed.
 

Wheato

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Seems we are caught up in a stand off between De Jong and Barcelona over the 17m Euro's that they owe him. They are lying that they want him to stay, and he is lying that he doesn't want to leave. They are both player poker here, waiting for the other side to fold.

But it may seem that De Jong has the upper hand, because they need him out to recoup the cash and register their players for la liga rules, and they can't do this with FDJ on the books at 22m per season. It screws up their FFP.

I just hope that we don't end up copping for the deferred wages. I think this deal will happen, but it might mean De Jong taking the money in instalments over 3 years instead of full payment.
 

lefty_jakobz

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Little known fact, FdJ is a member on here and refuses to sign until this thread is 1000 pages long.

Can see them paying him his owed monies once the funds from the next levers are in. No way Barca keep him he is too expensive for them to keep circa 20m per year wages when the rest of the squad contracts are being renegotiated so they can balance their books.

Its still on like De Jong!
 

Brownie85

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I'm sorry, what? We have seen evidence of the Brobbey deal? Like we were seriously interested in him.

When and where in my post have I stated we haven't done anything?
Apparently so. It was reported that he contacted ten Hag directly and told him that he would prefer to go to Ajax and that was the end of it. We moved on and abandoned the talks
 

mu4c_20le

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He cannot be forced to take a paycut. He has valid contract until 2026 and can just stay. I don't think him lowering his wage demands is even being considered by his camp, there is literally zero reason for him to agree to that.
After Gerard Pique was the first of the four captains to agree to a pay cut, which allowed Barcelona to register Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and B team striker Rey Manaj in time for their LaLiga Santander opener against Real Sociedad, Alba has now followed in his footsteps.

"Nobody from the club asked me for anything until two or three weeks ago," Alba said after the Real Sociedad game on August 15.

"I've always wanted to help and I don't think anyone should doubt me. My attitude has always been the same.

"Due to timing it was Pique's turn, but there shouldn't be any doubts [that I will follow suit]."
Might be difficult for us to understand, but Barca players usually don't need to be forced.
 
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