Barcelona vice-president Eduard Romeu has shot down reports claiming that Manchester United are in discussions over a move for Frenkie de Jong.
The former Ajax starlet continues to be strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, where he would reunite with compatriot Erik ten Hag for the 2022-23 season.
De Jong starred during the Amsterdam giants' run to the semi-finals of the Champions League under Ten Hag in 2018-19, which earned him a £77.4m move to Catalonia three months ago.
Ronald Koeman and Xavi have both made De Jong mainstays of their setup, and the Netherlands international remains under contract at Camp Nou until the summer of 2026.
However, reports have since claimed that Man United are in talks to strike a deal for De Jong this summer, in spite of the player's wishes to continue in La Liga.
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Speaking to ESPN, De Jong said: "I prefer to stay with Barcelona. Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age. I just said it too.
"I've never regretted my choice despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes than I've achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice."
Blaugrana chief Romeu has now added to the club's hopes of fending off interest from the Red Devils, telling reporters that "no departure" has been planned as of yet.
"We have not budgeted for the sale of players. Frenkie de Jong? If he leaves, it's a technical decision, not an economic one. But I repeat, we have planned no departure," Romeu explained.
Barcelona's long-running financial problems supposedly led to optimism within Man United of securing a cut-price £50m deal for De Jong, but they may now be forced to look elsewhere in their midfield search.
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Since arriving at Camp Nou from his homeland in 2019, De Jong has gone on to register 13 goals and 17 assists in 139 games for La Blaugrana across all competitions.
The 25-year-old ended the 2021-22 season with four goals and five assists from 46 outings, although he has only won one Copa del Rey during his time with Barcelona so far.
Man United's midfield ranks have been thinned by the departures of several free agents in recent days, most notably Paul Pogba, who is now expected to complete a return to Juventus.
Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have also departed alongside goalkeeper Lee Grant and striker Edinson Cavani, as Ten Hag prepares to oversee a significant summer of change.
A move for Bayern Munich's Corentin Tolisso has also been mooted, and the Frenchman recently talked up the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
Ben Knapton
