Frenkie de Jong shuts down Barcelona exit talk amid Man Utd & PSG interest

Cameron Smith

• 20 Feb 2024 20:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Frenkie de Jong has confirmed he is “very happy” at Barcelona and is not seeking to leave the club, despite reports to the contrary.

The Netherlands international has been heavily linked with a Camp Nou departure over the past 18 months, with Erik ten Hag extremely keen to bring him to Manchester United ever since his appointment at Old Trafford in 2022.

Paris Saint-Germain have recently joined the race too, while Arsenal have been touted as a possible destination as well. Interest in De Jong’s services has come following reports that he could push to leave Barcelona this summer.

However, on 11 February, FootballTransfers exclusively reported that such rumours are completely false, with the Dutchman having no intention of pushing to leave the club.

De Jong has now confirmed this, admitting to the media: “Recently I am a little angry with what the press write in general. A lot of stuff that is not true. I can't understand it, people reporting lies. It's irritating me a little.

“There are lot of fake news in the press. Some of you should feel ashamed, this has to stop. People invented numbers of my salary. I’m very happy at Barca, I hope to stay here for many years.

“I'm great. You have to change the lies. I know that there are many things that are invented. There are many things that are not true with players, coaches.”

Who could Man Utd sign this summer?

Man Utd are still interested in signing De Jong, FootballTransfers has been told, but the Dutchman does not want to leave Barcelona.

The Red Devils also want to sign Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite, while Marcus Edwards, Amadou Onana and Mathys Tel are admired too. Harry Kane is still appreciated by Man Utd and they could pursue a move this summer if he shows a willingness to leave Bayern Munich.