Frenkie de Jong in quartet Barcelona ‘may have to sell’

Barcelona may be forced to cash in on Frenkie de Jong and three other players next summer with president Joan Laporta facing another tricky conundrum. La Blaugrana activated a series of financial levers during the latest summer transfer window, allowing them to splash out on a collection of high-profile stars despite carrying significant debt, and they could be forced to do so again unless cash can be raised from player sales. Years of questionable transfer deals left Barca in a poor financial predicament earlier this year. Laporta was forced to take drastic action as he called on a series of financial ‘levers’ in an effort to balance the books, including selling a proportion of their television rights for the next 25 years. A lucrative spending spree that saw them sign the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde came as a shock to many, given that the club’s huge debt was well publicised. Registering many of those new signings in time for the La Liga season went down to the wire but matters have been positive on the pitch. Domestically they sit one point behind Real Madrid in La Liga after conceding just four goals in their opening 12 matches. The Champions League hasn’t been so kind, however, with third place now a certainty in Group C, behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. JUST IN: Man Utd ‘wanted’ Miguel Almiron before Newcastle ace rejected Arsenal transfer offerPique has already taken a hefty pay cut and more talks took place over his wages during the summer. The former Manchester United centre-back has been back at Barca since 2008 – the same year Busquets broke through and four years before Alba’s arrival.Speaking recently on De Jong’s situation, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said: “There’s no change at all, as he always said. Frenkie’s situation could only change if he decides to leave; as of now, it’s still the same as June, July and August so there are no ongoing negotiations. There is a lot of interest as always by many clubs, but nothing else.” Frenkie de Jong may have to be auctioned off by Barcelona next summer (Image: GETTY)With so many experienced stars in their squad, the wage bill is still thought to be a problem at the Camp Nou and Football España claim that four stars could be auctioned off if the club are keen to sign a star player next summer. De Jong is considered by the board to be something of a ‘get out of jail free’ card, given his huge price tag and mammoth wages. Manchester United were hot on his tail over the summer with Erik ten Hag pushing for a £72million deal that never materialised. READ MOREMan Utd told PSV ‘will now accept’ £25m for Cody Gakpo after Erik ten Hag transfer talksArsenal can finally land winger signing by beating Man Utd to discounted £25m bargainMan Utd star Antony already warned he will ‘get kicked up in air’ over showboating Erik ten Hag wanted to reunite with Frenkie de Jong at Man Utd during the summer (Image: GETTY)Pique has already taken a hefty pay cut and more talks took place over his wages during the summer. The former Manchester United centre-back has been back at Barca since 2008 – the same year Busquets broke through and four years before Alba’s arrival. Speaking recently on De Jong’s situation, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said: “There’s no change at all, as he always said. Frenkie’s situation could only change if he decides to leave; as of now, it’s still the same as June, July and August so there are no ongoing negotiations. There is a lot of interest as always by many clubs, but nothing else.”