Manchester United's protracted efforts to sign Frenkie de Jong could yet come to nothing
(Image credit: PA)
Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their long-running pursuit of Frenkie de Jong after Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted the midfielder isn’t for sale.
The Netherlands international is United’s top target in the summer transfer window, and negotiations have been ongoing between the clubs for weeks.
However, Laporta threw a spanner in the works when asked about the move.
“There are many clubs that want him, not just Man United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay,” Laporta said, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
He added: “I'm going to do everything to keep Frenkie, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted”.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
United are yet to complete a signing this summer, and Chelsea are considering joining the race for De Jong as protracted talks drag on.
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Things were made worse for the Old Trafford club when news broke on Saturday that Cristiano Ronaldo has asked to be allowed to leave if a suitable offer comes in from a team competing in the Champions League.
One deal does look like it’s nearing completion though, as left-back Tyrell Malacia is expected to soon undergo a medical and complete his move from Feyenoord.
Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.
