Frenkie de Jong is reportedly prepared to turn down the advances of Manchester United to stay put at FC Barcelona beyond the summer.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Santi Ovalle, Barcelona might end up keeping hold of Frenkie de Jong beyond the summer transfer window. The Dutch international is keen on remaining at Camp Nou and does not intend to join Manchester United ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona from Ajax in July 2019, completing a dream move to Camp Nou in the process. And in the last three years, the 25-year-old has been a reliable performer for the Blaugrana, even as his stint at Camp Nou has coincided with one of their worst modern-day runs.
The Dutch midfielder has made 138 appearances for Barcelona thus far, chipping in with 13 goals and 17 assists. But de Jong faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club, who are ready to cash in on him to balance their books and fund moves in the summer transfer window. Such a situation has captured the attention of Manchester United.
The interest from Manchester United comes in the wake of Nemanja Matic’s announcement that he will depart from Old Trafford in the summer transfer window. In addition, Paul Pogba could leave Manchester United as a free agent after the ongoing season ends, leaving a massive void in the Red Devils’ midfield department.
Frenkie de Jong has thus emerged as a viable target for Manchester United, who could upgrade Erik ten Hag’s midfield options at Old Trafford by arriving from Barcelona. Recent reports have even claimed that de Jong might be open to leaving Barcelona amid rising widespread speculations surrounding his future.
But as per Santi Ovalle, de Jong is keen on staying put at FC Barcelona despite the Catalan club’s desire to benefit from his sale. But if he has to depart from Camp Nou, the Dutch midfielder will not prefer to join Manchester United and miss out on playing in the UEFA Champions League for at least one season.
Instead, he will favour moving to another suitor, like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. The decision comes as a blow for Manchester United, who will need to identify alternatives to pursue in the summer transfer window, with de Jong keen on remaining at Barcelona beyond the summer transfer window.
