Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told Manchester United that Frenkie de Jong is still not for sale despite their interest in the midfielder.
MEN Sport reported last weekend that United are not averse to making a second bid for De Jong in order to bring him to Old Trafford. It is understood that the Dutchman was giving Erik ten Hag private reassurances that he wished to Manchester despite publicly stating that he was happy to remain at the Catalan club.
The Reds opted to move away from the De Jong deal when it became apparent that Barcelona and the midfielder's wage deferral issues were insurmountable and that the club would not sell him in the summer. Instead, focus turned to their La Liga rivals Real Madrid where United signed Casemiro from.
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However, Laporta has claimed that his club were never interested in selling De Jong due to his standing within the Camp Nou. Speaking to Barca TV (via GOAL ), the president said: "I have never wanted to sell Frenkie de Jong because he is one of the mainstays we have.
"He is one of the great talents, young and he is already one of the team leaders." United are also keen on exploring options to sign Jude Bellingham as well.
United previously invited Bellingham to Carrington before the teenager decided to move to Borussia Dortmund instead. Despite the Englishman snubbing the Reds previously, this has not put Ten Hag off and he is thought to be watching the midfielder's progress in Germany closely.
While Bellingham is the dream signing, United are still keeping the door open on a potential De Jong deal as they are wary of the interest from Manchester City in the Dortmund man.
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