Barcelona President Insists Frenkie De Jong ‘Not for Sale’

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted the club do not want to sell Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer.

English side Manchester United have been locked in talks over a move for De Jong. Barcelona need to sell players this summer due to their financial situation and he is their most valuable asset. The departure of the Dutch midfielder, 25, would allow them to start reshaping their squad for the future. However, Joan Laporta has suggested publicly he wants to keep De Jong at the Camp Nou.

He said: “There are clubs that want him, not just United. We have no intention of selling him and he has made it clear, he wants to stay.

“Frenkie is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world by all the experts. We are very happy to have him.”

Barcelona’s Salary Situation

Barcelona, though, do have an issue in terms of registering players due to the La Liga salary caps. They have agreed to sign Andreas Christensen and Frank Kessie for free this summer. The salary issues mean the club is unable to add either of them to their squad until they lower their wage bill.

Laporta added: “I’m going to do everything I can in my power so that Frenkie stays here but there’s also a salary issue that needs to be adjusted.”

De Jong himself has admitted he is ‘flattered’ by United’s interest. Last month he said: “You are always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player.

“But I think I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment, I feel fine there, so no news.”

Barcelona have also suggested that when they use a further financial instrument next week to free up funds, they will be in a much better position financially.