Ex Barcelona Player Gary Lineker Slams La Liga Club Over the Treatment of Dutch Midfielder Frenkie De Jong

Ex Barcelona Player Gary Lineker Slams La Liga Club Over the Treatment of Dutch Midfielder Frenkie De Jong

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:09 PM
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  • Gary Lineker has criticized Barcelona over the Catalan club’s treatment of Frenkie de Jong who has been a subject of interest of the Premier League
  • The La Liga club wants to offload this 25-year-old this summer to raise funds for the club but are unwilling to pay him his owed wages worth £17million
  • De Jong believes he has been the victim of a smear campaign that resulted in his own fans booing him earlier this month

Barcelona’s treatment of Dutch midfielder, Frenkie de Jong has been heavily criticized by former England international and football pundit Gary Lineker.

Barcelona are itching to sell the 25-year-old midfielder in a bid to raise money for the cash-strapped club and has already agreed to a deal with Manchester United for the Dutch player.

Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona, La Liga, Spain, Gary Lineker, Dutch, Bernardo Silva, Manchester City
Frenkie de Jong was an unused substitute in Barcelona's opening La Liga game against Rayo Vallecano last weekend. Photo by NurPhoto
Source: Getty Images

According to Metro UK, Lineker has been shocked by the behaviour of his former club whom he insists are treating Frenkie de Jong as a piece of meat.

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“I feel for Frenkie a bit. He’s been treated a bit like a piece of meat in the whole thing for circumstances totally out of his control.

“He’s a gifted young player and it’s very important for him he doesn’t go somewhere he doesn’t want to go.”

Frenkie de Jong has previously admitted he wants to remain with Barcelona and is not interested in a move to Manchester United with Chelsea also interested in the Dutch player.

Xavi gives Barcelona greenlight for Frenkie de Jong swap deal

Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong's future remains uncertain as Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has stated his desire for signing Man City striker Bernardo Silva.

According to the Daily Mirror, Xavi has given Barcelona the greenlight to sign Silva as he would not mind swapping the Portuguese for Frenkie de Jong in his midfield this season.

Silva has hinted at a departure from the Premier League winners, and he could serve as the Dutch international's immediate replacement should he decide to leave the Camp Nou.

Barcelona trying to rip up Frenkie De Jong’s contract

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona are threatening to take legal action against Dutch midfielder, Frenkie de Jong over alleged criminality with his new deal signed with the club in 2020.

The Catalan giants are looking for all means to offload the Dutch midfielder this summer or find a means for him to reduce his salary package to ease the club’s financial pressure.

Barcelona has reportedly told Frenkie de Jong that they want to rip up his current contract and revert back to the original terms he signed in 2019.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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