The possibility of Frenkie de Jong joining Manchester United this summer has not been ruled out by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
De Jong is United’s main target according to Erik ten Hag, and the team and Barca have agreed to a deal worth €85 million (£71.7 million).
De Jong, though, prefers to stay at Camp Nou and is not enthusiastic about the idea of joining United mainly because of their lack of Champions League play.
Another issue is that Barca still owes the 25-year-old over €17 million (£14 million) in earnings because he consented to defer some of his pay in order to improve the club’s financial predicament.
Even though Laporta claims he wants De Jong to stay, he acknowledges that the Netherlands international could still be moved. United has not given up hope of acquiring De Jong this summer.
When asked if he could guarantee De Jong wouldn’t sign with United, Laporta responded to CBS Sports, “In football, you never know.”
“I can’t say with certainty.” Everything is dependent on the various parties.
However, in theory, I can state that there is a good chance he stays, and as president, I can state that I will make every effort to ensure that he stays in Barcelona.
Laporta responded, “Then he will continue,” when questioned about what would transpire if De Jong refused to accept a pay cut. Has an agreement. We’ll abide by that choice.
He is a Barcelona player for us. We trust him.
We want Frenkie to stay at Barcelona, that much is clear. We adore the athlete and him as a person.
I would like him to remain in Barcelona. He’s a decent person and a top-notch athlete. He wants to stay, I also know that.
Frenkie receives the same treatment as the rest of the squad, according to us. The new hires have adjusted their salaries to the new system.
But we respect Frenkie’s contract because it is in place. He can’t be made to accept a pay cut through force. He makes the decision.
When asked if he had mentioned De Jong to Todd Boehly, the club’s new co-owner, during dinner, Laporta responded, “No, no, no.”
‘In Barcelona, we had a lovely supper and discussed football in general.
He has a very prosperous firm. He is active in sports, having played for the Lakers, Dodgers, and now Chelsea. It was a lovely supper, and he seemed to be a man with a clear direction.