Frenkie de Jong has no intention of leaving Barcelona this summer with the midfielder having ‘flatly refused’ a move to Manchester United.
That’s according to reports in Spain, who claim the summer’s most drawn-out transfer saga is no closer to ending with the Netherlands international moving to the Premier League.
United have agreed terms with Barcelona over the initial fee for the 25-year-old, with Erik ten Hag desperate to reunite with the former Ajax midfielder as he begins his rebuild at Old Trafford.
However, De Jong has shown a reluctance to leave the Catalan club despite pressure from Barcelona, who are open to his sale as the club look to bring in funds for further transfer business this summer.
Sport are reporting that De Jong has ‘flatly’ refused a move to the Red Devils and the player’s representative, Ali Dursun, has informed United officials of his stance. He is, however, reportedly not closed off to leaving Barcelona should a more appealing project arrive.
United’s absence of Champions League football has increased De Jong’s reluctance to move to England, while both he and his partner are settled in Catalonia.
There also remains an issue regarding unpaid wages to De Jong, who deferred around £17m in salary and bonuses in order to help the Spanish side combat losses occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In our view, United are unlikely to have continued their relentless pursuit if the club had received a concrete refusal from De Jong, so we’re taking Sport’s claims with a pinch of scepticism.
This saga is one that looks set to continue running for some time yet.
