Barcelona 'bewildered' as Man Utd transfer target could leave for FREE

Suraj Radia

• 15 Aug 2024 18:00 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are concerned one of their biggest assets will leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expires despite interest from Manchester United this summer.

The Catalan side’s long-running financial issues means they are still desperate to sell off their high earners before the end of the month, however no moves have materialised so far.

Barca have only made one major signing this summer in Dani Olmo but the €55 million man cannot be registered until sales are made, meaning he will miss the club’s opening game of La Liga this week against Valencia.

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The situation around Olmo has led the club to try and accelerate more sales, having only raised €28m from outgoings, and Barca were hoping to take advantage of United’s long-standing interest in Frenkie de Jong this summer.

However, having only been expected to be out for up to eight weeks with the ankle injury he picked up in April, De Jong has no projected return date four months later, hindering any chances of a sale.

Failure to sell De Jong this month would lead to more concern at Barca, with AS outlining fears that the 27-year-old could now leave on a free when his contract expires in 2026.

Barca ‘bewildered’ by De Jong attitude

De Jong is Barcelona’s highest earner, with an eye-watering reported salary of around €35m, fuelling the club’s desire to move him on despite his importance to the team.

Barca are said to have tried relentlessly to extend his deal and reduce De Jong’s salary but ‘all contacts have ended in deaf ears’, leading to suspicions about the Dutchman’s desire to leave on a free.

READ MORE: Barcelona wages: How much does each player earn?

There is reported to be ‘bewilderment’ at De Jong’s attitude due to his slow recovery from injury and lack of desire to resolve his contract issue or consider a move away.

Current ETV

Frenkie de Jong

M (C)

Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong

M (C)

Barcelona

€47.5M

ETV Range

€35.6M - €59.4M

View full profile

United had considered another move for De Jong this summer as they search for a midfielder, having been turned down numerous times by the ex-Ajax man in 2022.

But, despite Barcelona being open to a cut-price sale, De Jong’s injury status and reluctance to leave appears to have ended any chances of the club cashing in on him this summer.