‘I feel fine there.’
Frenkie de Jong has downplayed suggestions that he is prepared to leave Barcelona to join Manchester United. The Dutch midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford and linking up with Erik ten Hag, his former Ajax coach.
Barcelona are also said to be prepared to sell the player should they receive the right offer. Yet, it doesn’t sound like De Jong is keen on a move away from Camp Nou.
🗣 “You’re always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player. I’m at the biggest club in the world at the moment. I feel fine there.”
Frenkie De Jong on the links to Manchester United. 👀 pic.twitter.com/D8ys3Y9jUV
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 15, 2022
De Jong: I’m happy at Barcelona.
“You’re always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player,” De Jong told reporters while on international duty.
“I’m at the biggest club in the world at the moment. I feel fine there… So, no news.”
Now, obviously, while still contracted to Barcelona, he would say this. It by no means puts any hope of a transfer into the ground, especially with Barcelona in desperate need of some liquid cash to plug the holes in their sinking financial ship.
But equally, it’s not exactly a come-and-get-me plea.
Man United isn’t the most appealing destination for footballers right now. Despite their biggest club in the world shtick and the allure of playing with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Premier League, their underwhelming form in recent seasons has seen the club tumble down elite players’ list of preferred places to work.
De Jong linked with Man United move.
The hope, of course, is that the appointment of Ten Hag and a squad overhaul might change that. The Dutchman’s arrival at Old Trafford has prompted a swathe of transfer stories linking former or current Ajax players with a reunion with Ten Hag. The most prominent of these has been persistent rumours of De Jong, currently at Barcelona, moving to Old Trafford.
Recent reports claimed the manager had done enough to convince De Jong that his future lied in the red half of Manchester. But the player’s latest comments may come as a disappointment to United fans, as De Jong explained he was “fine” at Barcelona, who he said are the biggest club in the world.
In other Man United news, shares in the club dipped to a record low on Monday, with its value plummeting by over £1.3bn.
The news will again increase scrutiny on the Glazer family, who are again set to withdraw dividends later this month.
Related links
- Man United value drops by £1.3bn as share price hits record low
- Ryan Gravenberch on why he rejected late Man United approach
- Manchester United turn down Tottenham’s approach for Marcus Rashford
