Frenkie De Jong on Manchester United curiosity

Manchester United have suffered a setback of their pursuit of Barcelona‘s Frenkie de Jong, with the midfielder telling ESPN he would like to remain at Camp Nou.

New United supervisor Erik ten Hag is eager on touchdown the Netherlands worldwide as a part of his Outdated Trafford rebuild, with the pair having fun with success throughout their time at Ajax collectively. Nonetheless, De Jong has mentioned he’s desirous to struggle for his place with the Spanish giants.

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“I favor to stick with Barcelona,” De Jong instructed ESPN Netherlands’ Pascal Kamperman on Tuesday.

“Barcelona is simply my dream membership. Additionally from a younger age. I simply mentioned it too. I’ve by no means regretted my selection even though I had hoped for extra by way of prizes than I’ve achieved up to now. However I’ve by no means regretted my selection.”

De Jong gained the Dutch title and reached the Champions League semifinals underneath Ten Hag at Ajax earlier than transferring to Barca in 2019, however he has endured a tough early spell on the membership. Barca completed a distant second on this season’s LaLiga behind bitter rivals Real Madrid, who additionally gained the Champions League, whereas Xavi’s aspect misplaced to Eintracht Frankfurt within the quarterfinals of the Europa League.

Sources have instructed ESPN that Ten Hag wants to test Barca’s resolve this summer time with a bid for De Jong, regardless of his want to stay at Camp Nou.

Barca could but offload De Jong because the membership proceed to endure from monetary difficulties. Their spending restrict has been diminished to minus-€144 million by LaLiga — it’s the solely adverse cap within the league — and so they can solely spend 25% of any financial savings on wages or switch charges till they’re working inside their restrict.

De Jong, who’s valued at round €75 million, is one in all Barca’s most costly property, however the 26-year-old has mentioned there was no contact with Ten Hag or United.

He added: “What I am saying, there’s completely nothing of an settlement or something official. In the mean time there isn’t any query of it in any respect.

“Not that I do know of in any case. Or they have to not have instructed me, however I do not assume so.”

In the meantime, United have appointed Andy O’Boyle as their new deputy soccer director. O’Boyle beforehand served as head of elite efficiency.

“I’m thrilled to be rejoining Manchester United at such an thrilling time for the membership, as the primary crew prepares for a recent begin underneath Erik ten Hag, and the Academy and girls’s groups go from power to power,” O’Boyle mentioned in a press release.