Joan Laporta issues statement on Frenkie de Jong future amid Man Utd interest

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that he does not want to sell Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong and also never has done in the past either.

That is despite De Jong appearing to be on course for a Camp Nou exit during the summer.

As 90min reported at the time, Manchester United agreed to pay €75m in guaranteed money for De Jong as part of a proposed deal worth up to €85m in total with add-ons. A breakthrough in the negotiations came when John Murtough and Richard Arnold flew to Catalonia for talks.

De Jong was not keen to leave Barcelona but was advised by the club to explore a transfer amid the severe financial difficulties at Camp Nou. It was considered ‘impossible’ at that stage for the Dutchman to stay with Barça, although the deal eventually collapsed.

90min understands that United boss Erik ten Hag, who worked with and developed De Jong at Ajax, has confirmed to the player’s representatives that he would still like to have him in Manchester.

Even though De Jong’s public preference has been to stay, United maintain that the deal primarily fell apart in summer over complications relating to the millions of unpaid wages deferred from the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. That issue still hasn’t been resolved.

But in light of ongoing United interest, Laporta has issued a firm declaration on De Jong.

“In midfield I have never wanted to sell Frenkie de Jong because he is one of the best players we have. He is one of the great talents, young, and one of the leaders of the team,” he said.

De Jong appeared to be on the periphery of coach Xavi’s plans at Camp Nou at the start of this season. But he has been a regular starter since the start of October, even signing off with a goal and assist in his final two appearances prior to the World Cup break.