The Dutch international has been relentlessly pursued by the Red Devils. Despite Manchester United’s long-standing interest, Barcelona has no plans to sell Frenkie de Jong, according to club president Joan Laporta. The Dutchman has attracted a number of suitors for his services. The playmaker has been a top target for the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag, and it’s believed that the player’s reluctance to swap teams is what’s holding up the deal more than the Blaugrana’s reluctance to cooperate, particularly in light of their financial difficulties. The midfielder will reportedly stay at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future, or at least that is still the club’s desire, according to Laporta.
With De Jong having showcased little desire to move on, the likelihood of his exit was always tied to Barca’s financial motivations. But with a reported influx of funds after selling part of their television rights, Laporta has suggested that the need to move him on is now less pressing. “We have no intention of selling him and he wants to stay,” the president stated. “Manchester United is not the only one who wants him.”
In addition to De Jong’s future, a large portion of Barcelona’s transfer activity has been concentrated on protracted sagas involving moves for Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich and Raphinha of Leeds, with the club’s well-known financial difficulties working against them. Laporta is certain that the Whites will accept their expected offer in the case of the latter considering that the Brazilian has apparently had personal terms in place with the Blaugrana since earlier this year. Despite the fact that Leeds reportedly preferred a Chelsea offer, according to several reports. We’ve spoken with Leeds, and I believe they won’t object, he continued. “We are in contact. As a result, rival clubs that desire Raphinha are putting together their own bid.