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Frenkie de Jong admits Manchester United spoke with Barcelona regarding transfer
Barcelona superstar Frenkie de Jong has admitted that Manchester United spoke with the Blaugrana regarding his transfer last summer.
The Red Devils were keen on recruiting the Holland international, with Erik ten Hag identifying his former player as the club’s top target. To that end, the Old Trafford side had agreed a deal with the Camp Nou side for the midfielder.
However, the 25-year-old had no intention of parting ways with the Catalan outfit. Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS (h/t Manchester Evening News), the former Ajax star was aware of United’s interest in him.
“The club was in a difficult situation and they could have sold me for a big fee. But I didn’t want to go and stayed. Manchester United spoke with Barça, even though I wanted to stay. I want to be at Barça for as long as I can.”
Barcelona signed De Jong in the summer of 2019. Since then, the Holland international has gone from strength to strength and has developed into a key player for the Blaugrana.
However, for a small period under Xavi last season, the midfielder looked to be out of the Spanish gaffer’s plans. But the 25-year-old has become a key player for the Catalan outfit once again in the current campaign.
The Camp Nou side have an abundance of talent in the middle of the park with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi and Frank Kessie. However, De Jong has managed to carve a place for himself in the team.
Last summer, United signed Casemiro and Christian Erik to bolster the engine room. Both of them have become essential members of Ten Hag’s squad.
However, in their absence, the Red Devils are unable to perform at an optimal level. On the bench, Fred and Scott McTominay leave a lot to be desired when called upon.
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De Jong is one of the best midfielders in the world. The Holland international is familiar with our gaffer’s ideas and styles of play. But it looks like the 25-year-old still has no intention of leaving Barcelona for the foreseeable future.
