Raiden Shogun
Full Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2022
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- FC Barca
According to ESPN, 10 hrs ago, De Jongs agents made “Clear” he had no interest in leaving Barcelona. That was after talking to the United people. Then he made his agents go on instagram and post those cheesy shots of the strong arm on fire with Frenkie dedicated to the Barca cause.
From what I understand they would have been happy to talk to us as well, but we have taken a different approach than you. We let them know money would t be an issue and made sure that the terms were discussed, but we aren’t doing anything formal or announcing “agreed terms” with any one entity until Frenkie says “I am willing to leave Barcelona”.
One tweet on UtdPlug (the feed you guys have been linking) said De Jongs agent has been pushing for his departure and offering him to multiple clubs for many months. That tweet was back on 5/24/22.
I can’t imagine Frenkie was thrilled with any of those “agreed terms” stories. If there is a team closer to handling this the way Frenkie wants I think it would be Chelsea.
He doesn’t want to be the “greedy” player that spurned Barca for a team he had been plotting to join for months.
He wants to make sure everyone knows he IS a Barca guy, until the team tells him otherwise, and then maybe a CL contender will come along with no previous agreement and swoop in to give him a top team to play for.
That is a MUCH better story. This a PR battle as much a financial one now.
He is going to make Xavi and/or Laporte get on a public podium and say “Frenkie De Jong MUST leave Barcelona” or he simply is going to about his business.
I think the leaks of “teammates” saying he would prefer Chelsea to United were meant to draw us in and make De Jong look like a greedy mercenary waiting for highest bidder. But Boehly is a smart guy and he’s talked to Frenkie a number of times. I think he gets where he is coming from:
“Off limits until Frenkie (not anyone else) says otherwise”
Allowing yourselves to be pulled into the Barca angle of this storyline is t going to help you with Frenkie.
Pretty much in agreement with this.
I will add, on the deferred wage issue as people continue to think it's that simple: There is no way this is the only thing delaying a deal, absolutely no way. Barca almost failed to register the signings yesterday and in order to do so, another lever had to be activated. I know it's becoming a meme at this point but really, do people honestly believe Laporta would rather sell off more of the clubs future revenue instead of just paying 17 mil to a player Barca desperately want to leave? I very much doubt it.
Both clubs are willing to pay the deferred wages. Chelsea enquired with the player and were shut down. United have an agreement with Barca and his agent, apparently. I've said before there were actually reports that Frenkie and his actual agent were in conflict; the agent wants the move whilst the player doesn't. Both seem to be working in tandem now as Dursun didn't even turn up at a scheduled meeting with Barca officials.
Anyways, Barca have registered all players except Kounde who isn't match fit yet, he'll be registered next week once Memphis and possibly Auba leave, potentially more exits with Dest also. Another option is Pique and Busquets changing their contracts but I would think and hope it won't come to that. The desperation on our part is pretty much over though. It's done.
If Frenkie leaves, we'll probably sign Bernardo Silva. If he stays, well he better start performing. Tomorrow is a big day for this saga, imo if Xavi starts him he'll end up staying.