Barca president playing hardball over Man United’s persuit of De Jong

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Despite reports suggesting Manchester United have agreed a deal for Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that the midfielder is not for sale.

The Dutch midfielder has clearly been new boss Eric ten Hag’s No 1 one target in the transfer window with negotiations ongoing between the clubs for weeks.

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Recent reports said that a deal worth £56.2-million plus add-ons had been agreed, with personal terms still needing to be worked out.

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.”

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United are yet to complete a signing this summer, and Chelsea are considering joining the race for De Jong as protracted talks drag on.

However, Romano has since revealed that a deal is still in place between United and Barca, but the English club are yet to discuss personal terms with the player who hasn’t hidden his desire to remain in Spain.

Romano, though, also revealed that De Jong won’t take a pay cut to remain at Barca which could leave a move away as the only option.

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.

A bid has also been submitted for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, while United are closing in on Feyenoord left back Tyrell Malacia.

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Dean Workman