Manchester United’s hopes of signing Frenkie de Jong have suffered a setback after Barcelona insisted the club are under no financial pressure to sell the midfielder.
De Jong is a leading transfer target for the Red Devils with Erik ten Hag keen to reunite with the former Ajax midfielder in the Premier League, whilst reports have suggested Barcelona are open to his sale in a bid to raise transfer funds.
The 25-year-old is believed to be viewed as a dispensable member of the Spanish side’s squad, though Barcelona are keen to recoup the £77m fee the club invested in De Jong in 2019.
The Mirror are reporting that United had been hopeful of agreeing a fee in the region of £68m for the Dutch international, though recent comments from Barcelona’s economic vice president, Eduard Romeu, have served as a blow to those hopes.
Romeu has insisted to Catalan radio station Esport 3 that Barcelona are under no financial pressure to sell players this summer.
“Our revenue forecasts do not include the sales of any of our players,” Romeu said. “If any sales are generated then it will be a technical decision.”
United’s pursuit of De Jong comes following the exits of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard with midfield additions the priority for Ten Hag following his appointment at Old Trafford.
