FC Barcelona is on the brink of a substantial £80 million bid from Chelsea for one of their standout players.
The club, facing financial challenges and grappling with Financial Fair Play regulations, is considering selling a marquee player to strengthen their squad at the Montjuic Stadium.
Ronald Araujo is a key figure in the central defense, but Barcelona is hesitant to part ways with him.
Midfield options like Pedri and Gavi are deemed untouchable, leaving Frenkie de Jong as a viable asset for a lucrative sale.
While De Jong was available for transfer in 2021, his status within the team has evolved under departing head coach Xavi Hernandez.
He has transitioned from a bench role to an undisputed starter alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri.
Barcelona isn’t actively seeking to offload De Jong but is open to considering offers around €100 million.
The board is working to persuade De Jong to extend his contract for an additional three seasons, aiming to spread deferred payments from the pandemic over the extended tenure.
De Jong currently holds the highest salary among first-team members, earning €24.8 million this season, €23.2 million next season, and €23 million in the final year of his contract.
The club is negotiating with Chelsea, with owner Todd Boehly prepared to engage directly in talks, potentially alleviating Barcelona’s financial strain.
The negotiations aim to secure a deal that benefits both parties and addresses Barcelona’s debt and transfer market challenges.
