Barcelona club chiefs have reportedly admitted that they were lucky to keep Frenkie de Jong amid interest from Manchester United in the summer.
After Erik ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford, he was keen on signing his Dutch compatriot after time together at Ajax.
However, De Jong stayed at Camp Nou and has gone on to play a pivotal part in their La Liga title challenge, where they currently sit nine points clear.
Mundo Deportivo claim that the hierarchy within the club have since said it would have been a mistake to let the midfielder leave in the summer.
Unpaid wages from the pandemic led De Jong to stay at Barcelona, as the club would refuse to pay his deferred wages had he left the club.
The 25-year-old has been a regular despite the bitter feelings in the aftermath of that situation, potentially lowering the chances of Man United being able to prise him away from Barcelona in the summer.
Andrew Delaney
