In-demand Frenkie De Jong won't join Manchester United this summer - but Barcelona chief Joan Laporta insists the midfielder's bumper contract may need reworked.
The 25-year-old midfielder is Erik Ten Hag's No.1 target at Old Trafford and the new boss remains desperate to reunite with his Ajax pupil at Old Trafford. But Laporta isn't having it, insisting De Jong has no intention of leaving and states the Catalans want him to stay despite several reports to the contrary.
De Jong is regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation and the growing sense a deal won't happen is a blow to Ten Hag as he aims to legitimise his early United tenure with bonafide signings. And the president, speaking ahead of the new season, told Cope: “There are many clubs that want him, not just Man United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay.
“I'm going to do everything to keep Frenkie, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted” And Laporta believes Ousmane Dembele isn't going anywhere either amid Chelsea interest- as long as the France international accepts the new proposals on the table.
The Barcelona chief added: “You accept our economic terms, and you will stay. We don't set time limits for anything."
Manchester United don't have their problems to seeks with Cristiano Ronaldo also seeking an exit from Old Trafford. The football icon wants out with no Champions League football on the table.
