Former Netherlands attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has expressed his discontent with the whole Frenkie de Jong situation, saying that Barcelona deserve to get punished for treating the midfielder in such a manner.
It’s pretty much evident that Barcelona are pushing for de Jong’s departure in the summer, but since the midfielder is owed a significant amount of money as part of the deferred wages and the bonuses from his current contract, he has decided to stay put.
Now, there has been interest from a few English Premier League sides like Manchester United, with whom Barcelona struck an agreement in principle, and Chelsea, who are willing to match the Blaugrana’s valuation, but none of the teams have managed to convince the Dutchman to move so far.
Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano, van der Vaart, who spent two seasons with Real Madrid during his playing career, lashed out at club president Joan Laporta for his public appearances and branded Barcelona’s treatment as ‘mafia’.
“How on earth can you buy players when you have no money?” said the former midfielder, as per Ziggo (h/t TheEuropeanLad).
I find it a disgrace. And Laporta who keeps laughing everywhere with his big head. This man thinks he’s the king. But I think he’s a bit of an idiot.”
Frenkie? You can’t treat people like this. De Jong earns too much? You sign a contract and then you fulfil the contract or leave on good terms, but not like this. This is mafia and they have to get punished,” added the former Tottenham Hotspur man.
Van der Vaart also added that this kind of treatment is putting Barcelona in a bad place. He said that while it is still a great club, the neutrals are judging them on the basis of the current situation.
“Barça’s name on the map has become really bad. It’s a great club and everyone wants to play there. But as of now, we judge it differently and I find it a disgrace when you play for them,” he concluded