Manchester United Transfer: In one of the wildest transfer sagas last summer, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong almost joined Manchester United. After Barcelona agreed to terms for the transfer of de Jong, he refused to join the Premier League side. The speculations have been again growing around the transfer this summer after Barca’s UCL and UEL exit. On the other hand, Manchester United have been in fine form and their UCL spot looks almost booked for next season. Amidst all the new rumours, de Jong has cleared that he is happy at Barcelona and is not eyeing any move away from Camp Nou. Follow Football Transfer News LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“I am very happy and I want to continue for many years at Barca,“ Frenkie de Jong said on a radio show ‘Tu Diras’ program on RAC1adding that he is very happy, comfortable, and participating more in the game.
Manchester United Transfer: Hope Again for Man United Fans? Barcelona Star Frenkie de Jong Sends Clearest Message to Manchester United Over Transfer Rumors, Check OUT
When asked about the last summer’s saga, he explained, “I was fine. Calm, because I knew I wanted to continue at Barca and I have not changed my mind.”
Frenkie de Jong: “Last summer I was always calm as I knew I would stay at Barça and I never changed my mind” 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
“I always dreamed of playing for Barça and I want to succeed here. I want to continue here”, tells @EsportsRAC1. pic.twitter.com/LQOKZWg6hc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 9, 2023
The 25-year-old rejected Manchester United because of their absence from UEFA Champions League and his desire to succeed under head coach Xavi Hernandez. As of now, Barcelona have a 9 point lead over 2nd-placed Real Madrid in the league and are also leading the Supercopa tie against the rivals. However, the Catalan club have crashed out of both European leagues, UCL and UEL.
When asked about the poor performance in UCL, de Jong said, “What has happened in Europe has been very hard. I expected to go further in the Champions League and the last two years have been very bad. We have not gone beyond the group stage. We have to do much better.”
Manchester United Transfer: Hope Again for Man United Fans? Barcelona Star Frenkie de Jong Sends Clearest Message to Manchester United Over Transfer Rumors, Check OUT
With Gavi and Pedri cemented their place in midfield, Barcelona still needs a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets. Finding a replacement for such a legend seems to be impossible, but de Jong has proved to be reliable in those positions.
🚨 Jordi Cryuff: “Today we saw why so many clubs want Frenkie De Jong.” pic.twitter.com/0FBbbRjoD0
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) March 2, 2023
However, this doesn’t rule out the salary cut, which de Jong will need to agree on if he sees himself as a long-term player at Camp Nou. The midfielder was signed by Barcelona in the 2019-2020 season by Barca President Bartomeu. The Catalan club faced financial turmoil during his reign and are still recovering from it. As a result, many players had to take a wage cut in order to play for the club and de Jong is no exception to that.
Last summer Barca were trying to release de Jong and get rid of his hefty wages. Moreover, if de Jong fails to agree to the new President, Joan Laporta’s rule of no first team player paid than €10mn ($9.97mn) per year, the Dutchman might be on his way away from Camp Now.
Manchester United Transfer: Hope Again for Man United Fans? Barcelona Star Frenkie de Jong Sends Clearest Message to Manchester United Over Transfer Rumors, Check OUT