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Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona have not accepted any bids for Frenkie de Jong'

Laporta: 'Barcelona have not accepted any bids for De Jong'
© Reuters
Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists that the Catalan outfit have still not accepted an offer for Manchester United-linked Frenkie de Jong.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that the Catalan outfit have still not accepted an offer for Frenkie de Jong despite the recent speculation surrounding the central midfielder.

Manchester United have been strongly linked with the Netherlands international since the end of May, with the Red Devils believed to have identified him as their leading transfer target.

A recent report claimed that the 20-time English champions had come to an agreement with the Catalan side over a transfer fee, with the La Liga team keen to sell to ease their financial troubles.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that the two sides had come to an agreement over an €85m (£72m) deal, with Man United paying €75m (£63.5m) plus add-ons for the former Ajax youngster.

However, De Jong is still said to be resisting a move to Old Trafford, as he is determined to remain with Xavi's side, branding them his "dream club".

Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona on April 18, 2022© Reuters

"I prefer to stay with Barcelona. Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age. I just said it too. I've never regretted my choice despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes than I've achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice," the midfielder told ESPN earlier this summer.

"You are always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player," De Jong also told reporters in June. "But I think I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment and feel fine there so there is no news."

However, despite reports of an agreement between the two clubs, Laporta has insisted that Barcelona have not accepted any offers for the Dutchman.

"Frenkie de Jong is our player, we really like him," Laporta told ESPN. "We received some offers for Frenkie but we didn't accept as of now, as we want to talk with him and know exactly what he wants. We need to clarify some aspects of his situation".

Last term, the midfielder made 46 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, contributing four goals and five assists in the process, while he has represented the La Liga team on 138 occasions since arriving in the summer of 2016, contributing 13 goals and 17 assists in the process.

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong warms up in May 2022© Reuters

In June, Man United CEO Richard Arnold said that the club were "doing everything possible" to secure De Jong's signature in the current market.

"As a club we're doing everything possible to get the deal done. I've been up for days trying to get it done, the money is there but there's things standing in our way which I can't say," said Arnold.

De Jong is currently with the Barcelona squad on their pre-season tour of the United States, featuring off the bench in their victories over Inter Miami and Real Madrid.

The Catalan giants are under pressure to make a big sale this summer, having signed Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen in the current market.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest in De Jong this summer, but it is believed that Man United are in the driving seat for his signature despite suggestions that the Dutchman is not keen on making the move to Old Trafford.

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Written by
Matt Law

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