Barcelona president Joan Laporta has responded to speculation surrounding Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong.
The midfielder has been linked with a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford having worked together at Ajax. United ’s primary area of reinforcement is in the centre of the park with four midfielders in Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic all leaving.
Incoming United manager Ten Hag has identified De Jong, 25, as an ideal target, having coached him at Ajax and the Manchester Evening News understands United have contacted Barcelona about his potential availability.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag reveals what he wants to do after managing Manchester United
De Jong was part of the Ajax side that reached the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League prior to his switch to Barcelona. Since then, he’s played 139 games for the Spanish giants, grabbing 13 goals and 17 assists.
He has played an integral part in Xavi’s revamp at the Nou Camp and is contracted there until 2026, so any buyout will be expensive. But Barcelona’s financial difficulties have been widely reported and the club may still need to sell several important players this summer, including De Jong.
When asked about the player, Laporta remained coy but indicated that some big players could leave if other transfers aren’t completed. Talking to Catalunya Radio, he said: “There are Barca players that are always being talked about in the market.
“I don’t know if we will sell important players. If we complete some deals, maybe it won’t be needed. The priority is our financial situation, as of now. We’ll do our best for the club.”
It comes after De Jong was among a host of Ajax players past and present to pay tribute to ten Hag in a social media video message this week.
Speaking on the video, De Jong said: "It was a great time (at Ajax), in which you have shown results with attractive football. You have proven yourself to be a top trainer and you've deserved this step. I want to wish you good luck."
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