Manchester United’s summer transfer window target Frenkie de Jong would likely stay with the Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona next season after Barça’s president Joan Laporta denied reaching an agreement with Man United.
Although there have been conflicting rumors over the future of the young Dutch international, United manager Erik ten Hag has prioritized a move to be reunited with his former midfielder in what has been the ongoing saga of the summer transfer window. According to reports, United and the midfielder had agreed to a deal worth an initial fee of £63 million (€75 million) plus add-ons.
That appears not to be true since Barcelona president Joan Laporta has denied that a contract had been reached. Speaking during an interview with ESPN, Laporta said: “Frenkie de Jong is our player, we really like him. We received some offers for Frenkie but we didn’t accept them as of now, as we want to talk with him and know exactly what he wants. We need to clarify some aspects of his situation.”
Frenkie de Jong is currently with the Spanish La Liga giants in the United States of America for their pre-season tour and he had played as a substitute for the team. He also got another opportunity to play for Xavi Hernandez on Sunday morning in a game against Real Madrid. The friendly El Classico ended 1-0 in favor of Barcelona with the help of a goal from a new signing from Leeds United Raphinha.
🗣 Barcelona President Joan Laporta:
— United View (@unitedviewtv) July 24, 2022
“Frenkie de Jong is our player, we really like him. We received some offers for Frenkie but we didn’t accept as of now, as we want to talk with him and know exactly what he wants”
“We need to clarify some aspects of his situation”.#MUFC
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has also stated that he has spoken with Frenkie de Jong and he values him very much. He added that the young midfielder is a key player but then there are economic problems and financial fair play regulations which is why he could leave but no agreement has been reached yet.
Although Man United haven’t signed their top transfer target this summer, the Red Devils have secured the services of left-back Tyrell Malacia, midfielder Christian Eriksen and center-back Lisandro Martinez. But Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez are waiting for the team to return to Manchester before they can start training with them. Man United are currently having their pre-season tour and have won three games out of four.
Erik ten Hag and his boys missed the opportunity to make it four wins from four after they failed to win over Aston Villa on Saturday. The Red Devils finished the first half with a 2-0 lead but threw it away in the second half. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
