Barcelona bosses privately admit they were ‘LUCKY’ to keep Frenkie de Jong from Manchester United
Barcelona bosses privately admit they were ‘LUCKY’ to keep Frenkie de Jong last summer after Man United’s £65m move fell through, and the Dutchman has proven to be a key player this season under Xavi.
- Frenkie de Jong was one of Erik ten Hag’s main transfer targets last summer
- But the Dutchman wanted to stay at Barcelona and the deal could not be closed
- The bosses of the Catalan club now feel ‘lucky’ that the midfielder stayed with them
The Barcelona hierarchy have privately expressed their relief that they did not lose Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United last summer.
In a protracted transfer saga, Erik ten Hag lobbied hard to recruit his former Ajax man to Old Trafford and the Catalan side were keen to let him go to free up funds.
But De Jong stood his ground and has since become a key player for Xavi, with Barcelona leading La Liga ahead of Real Madrid by nine points.
According Sports worldclub bosses admitted: ‘It was lucky we didn’t sell it’, admitting that it would have been a mistake.
They reported a source as saying: ‘He understands better and better what is being asked of him and the manager values him very much.
Frenkie de Jong (left) has been a key man for Barcelona and they are on their way to the title
Xavi has been delighted with the Dutchman, who wanted to stay at the club in the summer
In the end, it was a dispute over unpaid wages that led De Jong to stomp.
Man United were interested in a deal worth around £65m to bring him on, but the Dutchman and his team wanted to be owed £11m in deferred wages before agreeing to the move.
De Jong agreed to defer a part of his pay package during the pandemic like many of Barcelona’s stars, but had yet to be paid.
The actual total was said to be £17m and Barcelona wanted him to agree to take just £6m.
“De Jong should consider taking legal action against Barcelona and all the players should support him!” Gary Neville wrote at the time.
The 25-year-old was also keen to prove himself at the Camp Nou and was reluctant to pick up sticks and move.
But De Jong has been crucial to Barcelona’s renaissance this season. They are leading Real Madrid in their Copa del Rey clash in the middle stage and look on their way to lifting the title.
Satisfaction with De Jong’s performances by Xavi and the club bosses could be a blow to United, who could continue to be interested in the player.
United are likely to look to strengthen their midfield again this summer and will struggle to cover for Casemiro’s absence in the coming weeks.
The Brazilian was sent off against Southampton at the weekend and must now serve a four-match ban.
The president of the club, Joan Laporta, will be satisfied with the performance of De Jong
