MX23RW : Friday, November 8 01:04:07| >> :60:1280:1280:

Frenkie de Jong 'one of three players Barcelona consider unsellable'

Frenkie de Jong 'one of three players Barcelona consider unsellable'
© Reuters
Barcelona consider Frenkie de Jong to be unsellable amid continued links with Manchester United, according to a report.

Frenkie de Jong is one of three players that Barcelona will not consider selling under any circumstances this summer, according to a report.

Last month, La Liga president Javier Tebas claimed that La Blaugrana must reduce their wage bill by a staggering €200m (£174.6m) before they can add to their squad this summer.

Director of football Mateu Alemany has affirmed that significant cuts will be made to the squad, as a wealth of out-of-favour players are moved on at the end of the season.

The potential sale of De Jong would free up a large chunk of Barca's wage bill, with the Netherlands midfielder contracted to the Catalan giants for another three years.

Barcelona were seemingly open to letting De Jong leave last summer as Manchester United fought tooth and nail to bring him to Old Trafford, and a verbal agreement was said to have been reached at one stage.

Frenkie de Jong in action for Netherlands against Senegal at the World Cup on November 21, 2022.© Reuters

However, De Jong refused to enter negotiations with the Red Devils, and talks subsequently broke down due to his desire to remain in Catalonia.

There have been suggestions that Man United could reignite their interest in the 25-year-old this summer, but in a turn of events, Sport now claims that he is one of three players deemed unsellable by the La Liga giants.

In the wake of his protracted transfer saga, De Jong has remained a key part of Xavi's plans with two goals and an assist from 34 matches in all competitions this season.

The former Ajax starlet - who is currently nursing a hamstring problem - has started 20 La Liga games for the Blaugrana this term, helping them establish a 12-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Following Barcelona's 2-1 El Clasico win over Real Madrid just before the international break, De Jong reaffirmed his commitment to his current club when asked if a summer move to Man United could materialise.

Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona on April 18, 2022© Reuters

"No, I don't think so (whether he would move to Old Trafford). You never know with the future, but I am happy at Barcelona," the midfielder told reporters.

"Things have changed for me since the summer. I play almost every match, and I feel good. I am a better player now than what I was when I signed for Barca."

De Jong burst onto the scene under Erik ten Hag at Ajax and has now made 174 appearances for Barcelona in all tournaments, contributing 15 goals and 18 assists while winning the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana.

As well as De Jong, fellow midfielder Pedri and centre-back Ronald Araujo make up the rest of Barcelona's unsellable trio, as Man United search elsewhere for midfield reinforcements ahead of the 2023-24 season.

De Jong is said to be one of three lynchpins on the Red Devils' shortlist alongside Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, but a permanent deal for Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer has not been ruled out.

ID:510578:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5514:

Frenkie de Jong future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Frenkie de Jong

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Marcel Sabitzer on February 4, 2023
Read Next:
Sabitzer 'will be allowed to join Man United on a permanent deal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!