Barcelona boss Xavi has enlisted the help of Barcelona chiefs Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany in an attempt to convince Frenkie de Jong to leave the Nou Camp.
De Jong is one of Manchester United 's top targets for the summer transfer window, with Erik ten Hag keen to reunite with the midfielder. But so far, the Dutchman has been unwilling to force through an exit and is instead hopeful of staying in Catalonia.
Barca's highly-publicisied financial issues means that decision could be taken out of his hands though. Xavi is desperate to finally begin a long-awaited rebuild of his squad, but first he needs the money that selling a player like De Jong would bring in.
The Spaniard is now stepping up his efforts to convince De Jong to accept United's offer, once Barca agree terms with the Premier League giants. The midfielder returned for his first day of pre-season training on Tuesday, having been granted extra time off due to his Nations League outings for the Netherlands.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, before he took part in the session, De Jong was called into a meeting with Xavi, Cruyff and Alemany. The Barca boss had already spoken to De Jong by phone, but 'reiterated' his stance, using Cruyff and Alemany as witnesses.
Xavi insisted that De Jong is one of his 'fundamental footballers', and would be key to his long-term project. But the Barca boss also admitted that the question of De Jong's future was not solely a sporting one.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Frenkie de Jong leave Barcelona for Manchester United? Comment below.
Alemany and Cruyff also made it clear that the financial situation at the Nou Camp means that 'certain decisions' are needed. One of those decisions is selling De Jong, which was described as being a 'solution to many problems'.
The two chiefs outlined that De Jong leaving would be 'fair play' as it could free up more than £25m in wages. They are said to have also admitted he could stay at Barcelona, but only if he accepts a 'significant' cut to his salary.
It was 'made clear' to De Jong that Barca's attempts to force him to leave are purely down to financial reasons, with Xavi ready to accept his departure is a 'necessary measure'. De Jong remains keen to stay at the Nou Camp, with his position being 'inflexible' up to this point.
The lack of Champions League football at United next season has not helped to convince De Jong to leave. But Barca are using all methods at their disposal to show De Jong that they need him to leave the club, if Xavi's transfer plans are to be put into action.
Whether his meeting with Alemany, Cruyff and Xavi changes matters remains to be seen. United will certainly hope that the Dutchman has been convinced by Xavi's new strategy as they bid to finally land Ten Hag's top target.
