Barcelona reject Frenkie de Jong exit claim amid Manchester United transfer interest

Barcelona has denied reports that Frenkie de Jong is set to leave for Manchester United this summer.

Last month, the Manchester Evening News reported that United is considering a £75 million bid for De Jong, who has been highlighted as a key target by Erik ten Hag. Between 2017 and 2019, De Jong had a successful spell at Ajax under Ten Hag.

Ten Hag is said to want to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford since the two have a strong friendship. Barcelona’s financial woes have been well chronicled, and it appears that the Catalan giants are willing to sell in order to earn some much-needed cash.

Barcelona vice-president Eduard Romeu, on the other hand, refuted rumours that the club planned to trade De Jong on Friday.

“We haven’t accounted for player sales,” Romeu explained. “De Jong, Frenkie? It’s a technical decision, not an economic one, if he goes. But, once again, we have no plans to leave.”

This week, Barcelona announced Spotify as the club’s new sponsor, and De Jong was included in advertising photos.

The player has also stated that staying at the Nou Camp is his preferred option and that Barcelona is his ‘dream’ club.