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Barcelona ‘are ordered to slash £177m from their wage bill before next season’ as LaLiga get tough… with Man United targets Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati among those who could be sold to free up cash
- LaLiga have told Barcelona to make significant cuts to sort out financial issues
- Reports in Spain suggest stars such as De Jong and Fati may have to be sold
- Manchester United have been linked with both players ahead of the summer
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Barcelona have been ordered to slash their wage bill by £177million in the summer – offering hope to Manchester United and others in the pursuit of their star names.
LaLiga are insisting the Nou Camp club will have to make further financial sacrifices if they are to comply with league rules and that could result in high-profile players being sold.
Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati, who have both been linked with Manchester United, are reportedly two of those who may have to be shown the door to reduce the wage bill.
Mundo Deportivo say Barcelona will insist Netherlands midfielder De Jong isn’t for sale but their financial predicament could persuade Erik ten Hag to sanction another chase for a player he greatly admires.
United were unable to get a deal for De Jong over the line last summer, with the star not wanting to leave Barcelona after the clubs agreed a fee of £71million.
Frenkie de Jong (left) and Ansu Fati (right) – both linked with Manchester United – are two of the big earners Barcelona may be forced to sell in the summer due to LaLiga rules
Erik ten Hag’s United are being linked with moves for both De Jong and Fati in the summer
De Jong has a Barcelona contract until 2026 and will earn around £78million over the final four years of it after he agreed a restructure to help the club mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With Barcelona under renewed pressure to reduce their wage bill, they may change their stance on selling De Jong if United or another club revive their interest.
Reports earlier this week suggested United are among a number of clubs interested in young forward Ansu Fati with his agent Jorge Mendes apparently approaching potential suitors.
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La Masia product Fati, 20, has struggled for game time this season and Diario Sport reported interest in a player Barcelona value at £90million.
It has been reported that Fati earns around £200,000-a-week at Barcelona.
Other players who could be offloaded to reduce the wage bill include Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Ousmane Dembele, Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie.
Busquets and Sergi are entering the final six months of their respective deals, making them more obvious candidates to leave in the summer.
United will get to take a close-hand look at these potential targets when they take on Barcelona in the Europa League play-off in the coming fortnight.
United agreed a fee to sign De Jong last summer but were unable to get the move completed
La Masia graduate Fati is one of Barcelona’s top talents – but they may have to cash in on him
It’s clear Barca president Joan Laporta (middle) will have to continue making sacrifices to bring the club into line with financial rules
The first leg takes place at the Nou Camp on Thursday next week, with the return at Old Trafford seven days later.
Having spent over £200m in Ten Hag’s first summer on the likes of Antony and Casemiro, United were unable to splash out too much in January.
Instead, they brought in striker Wout Weghorst on loan and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer as emergency cover for the injured Christian Eriksen.
However, Ten Hag will expect further funds this summer to push on, especially if United return to Champions League football.
