Barcelona threaten legal action against De Jong contract | OneFootball

Barcelona want to rip up Frenkie de Jong's contract, it has been revealed.

It's alleged that his existing contract has "evidence of criminality" within it.

The Athletic's David Ornstein tweeted: "Barcelona told Frenkie de Jong on July 15 they have evidence of criminality around contract given by old board + cause for legal action vs all involved.

"FC Barcelona asked him to annul deal & revert to previous terms."

Manchester United had an offer accepted for De Jong last month, but the player's reluctance to join Old Trafford and outstanding payments he is owed by Barcelona - reported to be £14.5m - stopped the deal from going through.

The two-year contract extension - taking him up to 2026 - reduced his salary for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons in order to alleviate Barca's financial problems.

This left £15.2million to be paid to De Jong across the following four seasons of his deal.

Barca now want De Jong to revert to the terms of the agreement which he originally signed in January 2019, reports the Athletic.

Dialogue between the club and player is also said to have included claims that De Jong's representatives may be implicated in the alleged criminality.

The previous management led by president Josep Bartomeu, who was replaced last year, believe the contract renewal was completely legal.

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