Barcelona’s midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, has expressed frustration towards the media for spreading false claims about his commitment to the club and has clarified his future intentions amidst interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Back in the summer of 2022, Manchester United, under the new management of Erik ten Hag, targeted De Jong to bolster their midfield. Given their previous collaboration at Ajax, Ten Hag was eager to reunite with De Jong at Old Trafford.
Despite extensive negotiations, Manchester United failed to secure De Jong from Barcelona as the player himself was reluctant to leave. Instead, Manchester United went on to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid in a lucrative deal.
De Jong has remained with Barcelona since then, although recent reports suggest he may be considering a departure this summer and is hesitant to extend his contract with the Catalan club. This has reignited interest from Manchester United, Tottenham, and Paris Saint-Germain, with De Jong’s valuation standing at €100 million (£85.5 million).
Addressing the media ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League fixture against Napoli, De Jong expressed his frustration with the ongoing transfer speculation, refuting claims about his contract and salary situation. He reiterated his commitment to Barcelona despite the rumors.
In the event that Manchester United or Tottenham pursue De Jong again, it is likely they will face resistance from the player, as he seems determined to remain in Spain.
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However, there might be an alternative for Manchester United, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe has turned his attention to Atalanta’s Ederson amid uncertainty surrounding De Jong’s potential transfer. Ederson, a Brazilian midfielder, appears more receptive to a move and has indicated that speculation about his future has boosted his confidence.
Ederson emphasized the importance of leaving negotiations to his agents and maintaining focus on his performances on the pitch. He also highlighted the positive relationship between himself, his agents, and Atalanta, indicating a willingness to consider concrete offers in the summer.
While De Jong commands a hefty price tag of £85.5 million, Ederson is available at a significantly lower cost, with Atalanta setting his valuation between €40-45 million (£34-38.5 million).
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