Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona’s star midfielder, has once again turned down the chance to leave the Catalan giants, opting to remain with the La Liga side for another season. According to reports from SPORT, Barcelona was open to selling the Dutch international this summer to alleviate their financial difficulties and had even offered him to several top European clubs. However, De Jong was steadfast in his decision to stay, despite the interest from clubs like Manchester United.
De Jong, who joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 in what was seen as a significant coup for the club, has been a target for Manchester United on multiple occasions. In 2022, United had agreed on a transfer fee of €85 million with Barcelona, as Erik ten Hag sought to reunite with his former Ajax protégé during his first transfer window at Old Trafford. More recently, De Jong was considered an alternative for United in case their move for PSG’s Manuel Ugarte fell through. However, with the successful signing of Ugarte, De Jong’s future remained with Barcelona.
Despite his loyalty, there have been ongoing tensions between De Jong and Barcelona, particularly surrounding his injury management. Mundo Deportivo reports that De Jong is firm in his stance not to return to the pitch until he feels fully fit, a position that has caused friction with the club, which expects him to play through the discomfort. The club has given him a two-week period to assess his fitness and determine whether he can return to action.
De Jong’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, and while he has weathered the club’s attempts to sell him in the past, the ongoing tension and financial considerations could make next summer a pivotal moment in his career with the Catalan side.
