Frenkie de Jong has reiterated his desire to stay at Barcelona for 'many years.'
Manchester United spent the bulk of the last summer transfer window trying to tempt De Jong away from the Camp Nou to reunite him with former boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. The midfielder was a key component of the manager's Ajax side that nearly reached the 2019 Champions League final and was seen as equally important for the rebuild project in Manchester.
United agreed a fee with Barcelona for De Jong last year but a transfer didn't materialise. The deferred wages owed to De Jong by Barcelona proved to be a significant stumbling block, while the player never publicly suggested that he wanted to leave the Spanish club.
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Though Ten Hag appeared reluctant, United finally forfeited the chase and instead turned to Spain's other giant club to recruit Casemiro instead. The Brazilian has been sublime since his arrival from Real Madrid and completely transformed United's midfield.
Yet, Ten Hag would still like to bolster his midfield ranks further in 2023 and would be open to making another approach for his fellow Dutchman. However, it sounds like De Jong's answer will remain the same.
Speaking to TV3 ahead of Sunday's El Clasico, De Jong said: "Hopefully I can play in the new Camp Nou. Barcelona has always been the club of my dreams and I want to stay here for many years.
"For me, the Camp Nou is the most beautiful stadium in the world. The plans for the stadium are very good. To continue here for many years. Barca is the team of my dreams."
"Playing in a Clasico is a very difficult feeling to explain. When I was a child, I dreamed of doing it with Barca and now I can do it. It's a very important game for the fans and also for the players, a game that can decide a league."
It's understood Ten Hag would also endorse a move for Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham.
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