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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Manchester United have been dealt a crushing blow in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as Barca president Joan Laporta insists that the Dutchman is ‘not for sale’.
Laporta revealed that de Jong wants to stay at the Nou Camp, despite the Red Devils reportedly having agreed an initial £56million fee to take him on this summer.
Erik ten Hag is yet to announce his first signing as United boss, having placed most of his midfield bets on De Jong thus far.
The duo worked together at Ajax several years ago, but the player has, at times, appeared reluctant to leave Barca – the club he supposedly ‘dreamed’ of playing for as a child.
The Spanish side are in financial difficulty, and the midfielder was reportedly warming to the idea of reuniting with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
The two clubs were thought to have agreed on a financial package which could reach £73m, but personal terms were yet to have been nailed down.
On Saturday, Barca President Laporta cast doubt on the effectiveness of United’s agreement by claiming that the club are keen to prevent De Jong from moving on, despite interest from multiple sides.
There are many clubs that want him, not just Man Utd,” he admitted. “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.
De Jong is not the only player who may have to see their pay slashed to stay with Barcelona, as Ousmane Dembele is facing the prospect of a 40 per cent pay cut to renew terms.
La Blaugrana has been in serious financial difficulty for some time, which ultimately forced them to part company with club icon Lionel Messi last summer.
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It was presumed that Barca would need to cash in on De Jong to fund moves for the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Regarding the former, Bayern Munich are seemingly in no mood to sell on the cheap, and Laporta confirmed that only ‘communications’ had taken place for the latter with Chelsea and Arsenal still firmly in the running.
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