FC Barcelona wants to “do everything” to keep Frenkie de Jong, according to chairman Joan Laporta. The Dutch midfielder is emphatically in the interest of Manchester United, where Erik ten Hag is the new trainer this season.
,,Frenkie is one of the best players in the world. We know that clubs want him, not just United, but we have no intention of selling him,” said Laporta, who emphasized to Spanish media that De Jong will have to settle for less salary if he stays at the Camp Nou.
The 25-year-old De Jong made it clear last month during the international match of the Dutch national team that he would like to stay in Barcelona. However, due to financial difficulties, the Catalan club must first sell players before it can do business on the transfer market itself.
Less salary
The Orange international, who is still under contract at Camp Nou for four years, is one of the players with the highest transfer value in the selection. The Spanish club paid 75 million euros three years ago to take over the midfielder from Ajax.
,,I have the impression that he wants to stay. Frenkie is happy at Barça and I’m going to do everything in my power so that he stays,” said Laporta, who added that De Jong’s salary should be reduced. “We’ll talk about that then. The salary level of some players does not match the level that the current board has set.”
Last year, several Barcelona players already handed in salary to help the club meet the salary cap set by the Spanish league La Liga.
Ten Hag would like to bring De Jong to Manchester. According to English media, the clubs have broadly agreed on a transfer fee of around 80 million euros. Feyenoord left back Tyrell Malacia is already about to switch to Man United and Ten Hag would also like to take over Lisandro Martínez and Anthony from his old club Ajax.
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