Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists the membership have “no intention” of promoting Manchester United goal Frenkie De Jong, however says the midfielder could have to simply accept a wage adjustment to stay at Camp Nou.
De Jong, who emerged as certainly one of European soccer’s hottest properties beneath Erik ten Hag at Ajax earlier than becoming a member of Barca in 2019, has been strongly linked with a transfer to Previous Trafford since his former boss took over at United.
The Netherlands worldwide mentioned in Might that his desire could be to stay at Camp Nou, which he labelled his “dream membership”, however the Blaugrana’s monetary difficulties have given rise to hypothesis he may depart.
Barcelona’s need to recruit wantaway Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has solely amplified such rumours, however Laporta believes De Jong is completely happy on the membership and will keep – if an settlement over his wage might be reached.
“Frenkie de Jong is a Barca participant and is recognised as the most effective gamers on the earth,” Laporta advised reporters.
“We all know of golf equipment that need him, not solely United, and we now have no intention of promoting him. The participant, I get the impression, needs to remain.
“He’s snug at Barca and I’ll do what’s in my energy in order that Frenkie stays right here, however it’s also a wage concern and it must be adjusted.
“What is definite is that the wage ranges of some gamers usually are not in step with the wage ranges that the board of administrators that I’ve the privilege of presiding over have set.”
De Jong made 47 appearances for Barcelona through the 2021-22 season, scoring 4 targets and boasting the very best passing accuracy (91.18 per cent) of any of the membership’s midfielders to play no less than 20 video games in all competitions.
Laporta refused to be drawn on Barcelona’s curiosity in Lewandowski, nevertheless, solely affirming his respect for the Poland worldwide’s present membership.
“He’s a Bayern participant,” he mentioned of the striker, who plundered 50 targets for the Bundesliga champions final season.
“Everybody is aware of that he’s an excellent participant, however I would like to be reserved as a result of he’s a Bayern participant.
“We all know that he has publicly said that he needs to come back to Barca and we’re very flattered, however we now have respect for Bayern Munich, which is without doubt one of the greatest golf equipment on the earth. Between golf equipment, we respect one another.”
