Barcelona president Joan Laporta opened up on the future of Frenkie de Jong while confirming the dates of presentation for two new signings.
Speaking at an event at the Hostal de La Gavina in S’Agaró on Saturday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta discussed several topics with regard to the club’s summer transfer plans while also confirming the imminent signings of Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.
Barcelona have had a rocky start to the summer due to the financial restrictions that were imposed on them. However, the recent sale of 10% TV rights to Sixth Street has brought in a massive injection of funds, opening up avenues for the Catalan giants to sign and register new players imminently.
Following this, Laporta has now confirmed that the club will soon officially announce and present two new signings in the form of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
Barcelona have had an agreement with Christensen for a while now, and the Danish defender is officially a free agent after his contract with Chelsea expired at the end of June. The same holds for Kessie as well, with the Ivorian agreeing terms over a move to Camp Nou several months ago while he was still with AC Milan.
Joan Laporta: "We will present Kessié on Wednesday and Christensen on Thursday." pic.twitter.com/g8mmBfNQzL
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 2, 2022
Laporta has now confirmed that the two footballers will be presented as Barcelona players in the coming week. As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, the Catalan president said, “We will present Kessié on Wednesday and Christensen on Thursday.” Romano adds that both players have signed their contracts and completed their medicals, with their announcements now set for the coming week.
Laporta also took the occasion to speak on the situation of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The 25-year-old’s future has been a major topic of discussion this summer, with Manchester United making concerted efforts to sign him up to replace Paul Pogba.
Recent reports have even indicated that Manchester United and Barcelona have reached an agreement over a transfer in a deal worth €65 million, plus add-ons. But Laporta insists that the Blaugrana have no intentions of selling the midfielder this summer, and the club will do their best to ensure he stays.
However, the Barcelona president added that de Jong might have to reduce his salary to continue at Camp Nou beyond the summer. As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, he said, “There are many clubs that want him, not just Man United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay. I’m going to do everything to keep Frenkie, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted.”
These comments on the future of de Jong cast doubts on the reports of an agreement between Manchester United and Barcelona over a transfer. At the same time, Chelsea, too, have entered the race for the Dutchman, but he could end up staying at Camp Nou.
