Gary Lineker has criticised Barcelona for treating Frenkie de Jong like a "piece of meat" amid ongoing uncertainty over his future.
De Jong is the subject of a fresh approach from Manchester United while Barca's treatment of him – demanding he reduce his salary by half or leave the club – has been slammed as like the "mafia" by former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart.
It comes amid a protracted saga over De Jong with both United and Chelsea pursuing a transfer. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag recently instructed his side to remain patient on a deal after holding fresh talks with the player but the Blues are believed to be becoming increasingly confident of securing his signature.
De Jong's future remains unclear; the midfielder is the highest earner at the Camp Nou and is also owed a further €17million in amortizations this season.
That has fuelled Barca's desire to sell him, including agreeing a fee with United – but no deal has yet been processed.
Lineker, who spent three years at Barca between 1986 and 1989, has now been critical of the club's treatment of the Dutch midfielder: "I feel for Frenkie a bit. He has been treated a bit like a piece of meat in the whole thing for circumstances that are 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. He has the playing cards in his hand in that sense. He will have to be quite strong. It is so weird. Barcelona seemingly want him but something has to give and it just seems a shame for it to end up like this."
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Lineker's comments chimed with Dutch legend Marco van Baster, who said on Dutch TV: "I think Johan Cruyff would have been ashamed if he saw the way Barca was acting today. In my opinion, Barcelona's behaviour has been far below their standards."
Lineker, who was speaking at an event launching the current La Liga season in cooperation with Premier Sports in the UK, tipped his former club to win their first league title since 2019. The signings of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie have massively elevated expectations at the club this summer.
Lineker added: "I'm massively more encouraged at this stage this season than I was at this stage last season. There are a lot of really gifted young players who I'm looking forward to seeing. I've got a feeling Barcelona will win the league."
"I got a feeling Barca can do it. It has been a bit all over the shop but they have managed to bring in some top players. At some point, Real Madrid will go over the top with their great players. [Luka] Modric, [Karim] Benzema and [Toni] Kroos are all in their mid-30s and at some point, father time is going to catch up with them.
"It's a gamble what Barcelona have done but it might pay off. They were in a perilous position and only had two choices. They could have gone soft and hoped the money came in from ticket sales but they have gone this way. It could implode but hopefully not.”
