Joan Laporta releases statement on Frenkie de Jong future amid Man United interest

• Joan Laporta issues statement on Frenkie de Jong’s future amid Man United interest.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has released a statement on Frenkie de Jong’s future amid Manchester United interest and insisted that he does not want to sell the player 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.

According to reports, as part of a planned deal for up to €85m overall with add-ons, Manchester United agreed to pay De Jong €75m in guaranteed money. When John Murtough and Richard Arnold travelled to Catalonia for talks, the negotiations made progress.

Despite having no desire to leave Barcelona, the club recommended De Jong look into transfers due to the dire financial situation at Camp Nou.

Even if the agreement ultimately fell through, it was deemed “impossible” for the Dutchman to remain with Barça at that point.

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We also understand 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 the 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. However, he has been a consistent starter since the beginning of October, even capping up his season with a goal and an assist in his final two games before the World Cup break.