A fresh insight into the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has been provided on Sunday evening.
And the news will no doubt come as a source of concern for all associated with Manchester United.
The name of Dutch international De Jong, of course, took its place centre stage in the headlines across the European media once more a little over a week ago.
For several months now, it had been widely speculated that the midfielder was inching ever closer to a move to the Premier League with Manchester United, primed to reunite with ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
In turn, it came as nothing short of a shock when Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed that he and the transfer team at the Camp Nou ‘have no intention of selling him’.
Not only that, but it was reiterated that FdJ himself ‘wants to stay’, with the club therefore ready to do whatever it takes to keep hold of a player evidently deemed as key to Xavi Hernandez’s project moving forward.
Barça president Laporta on de Jong: “There are many clubs that want him, not just Man United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay”. 🚨 #FCB
“I’m going to do everything to keep Frenkie, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted”. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/zG4mmo6Rfj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 2, 2022
Ensuing reports in the English press have nevertheless continued to push the line that De Jong will ultimately go on to seal a move to Old Trafford before the summer is out, with Barca’s need for fresh funds having remained unchanged.
But, on Sunday, yet further claims to the contrary have come to the fore online.
As per transfer journalist Patrick Berger of SPORT1, De Jong has returned to Catalunya, ahead of linking up with Xavi’s squad for pre-season training this week.
In turn, a transfer coming to fruition is looking increasingly ‘unlikely’, despite the 25-year-old having been left disappointed by the treatment afforded to him by Barcelona this summer.
De Jong remains adamant that the Camp Nou is his home, with is assured once more that he simply ‘doesn’t want to’ join Manchester United.
Frenkie de Jong is back at FC Barcelona after summer vacay. A transfer to ManUnited is unlikely at the moment. Been told he definitely doesn’t want to leave Barça for #MUFC! But he is also very disappointed about the way the Spanish side treated him. Difficult situation…@SPORT1 https://t.co/QnqF6PA2uN
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) July 10, 2022
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