Former player Marc Crosas has accused Gary Neville of having ‘no idea’ what he is talking about in his criticism of the club’s handling of Frenkie de Jong.
remain hopeful of signing de Jong this summer but remained locked in talks that look like they will drag into the opening weeks of the new Premier League season.
A £63m fee, with a further potential £8.47m in add-ons, has been agreed between the two clubs but Barcelona have publicly maintained they do not wish to sell the midfielder.
While he is open to a move to Old Trafford, De Jong’s first preference is to stay at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona are asking him to reduce his salary as they fight to cut costs with the club still in major debt. The issue of €17m in deferred salary payments owed to the player is also complicating the issue.
Former United defender Neville condemned Barcelona’s behaviour on Monday, urging de Jong to consider legal action.
‘De Jong should consider legal action [versus] Barcelona and all players should be behind him!’ Neville posted on Twitter on Monday.
‘A club spending fortunes on new players whilst not paying the ones they have under contract their full money is immoral and a breach. @FIFPRO should be all over bullying like this and stop it.’
Former Barcelona youngster Crosas, who went onto to play for Celtic, has hit back at Neville, writing: ‘You have no idea what you talking about.
‘Barça spending fortunes on new players has nothing to do with salaries and salary cap. He has the right to leave, stay with the same contract, reduce it, or say NO to ManUtd. Maybe that’s what really hurts you and not Barça’s immorality.’
He added: ‘Nobody is “refusing to pay”. Barça is trying to renegotiate his contract the same way they did with Piqué, Busquets, Ter Stegen, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto… Nobody complained at the time.’
Barcelona have made a number of high profile signings this summer despite their financial predicament having brought in Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie on free transfers with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha arriving from Bayern Munich and Leeds United respectively.
They are also in talks to sign Jules Kounde ahead of Chelsea.
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