Barcelona accused of ‘extorting’ Frenkie de Jong after Manchester United bid

'I think a union should protect all players. Now a player is cornered by a club and chased away'

The chairman of the Dutch players' union has accused Barcelona of 'exploiting' Frenkie de Jong following Manchester United's approach for the midfielder. United have reportedly agreed a £63million deal to sign the Dutchman, but he is refusing to leave the Camp Nou until the LaLiga club reimburse him for £17m in deferred wages. Although De Jong is the Red Devils' priority transfer target this summer, the Barcelona man has shown little interest in a move to Old Trafford and has publicly declared his preference to stay in Spain. Although Xavi is thought to be an admirer of the former Ajax man, he is also keen on signing Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, and knows that he needs to raise additional funds if the club are to match Chelsea’s £55m offer for the Frenchman. The Catalan giants have already added Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christsensen and Franck Kessié to their ranks this summer. https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1551166525700202496

Chairman of the Dutch players' union slams Barcelona

However, Evgeniy Levchenko has criticised Barcelona's conduct during their negotiations with De Jong, suggesting that the club could 'extort' the 25-year-old by refusing to play him if he insists on staying at Camp Nou.

Levchenko doesn't believe De Jong should take pay cut

Related links:

• Frenkie De Jong should consider legal action against Barcelona, Gary Neville claims
• Frenkie de Jong prefers move to Chelsea as he ‘doesn’t like’ Manchester
• Frenkie de Jong hits out at Barcelona as Man United transfer saga continues