Barcelona ‘ready’ for Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd transfer
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 11 Jun 2022 16:57 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that his club are “ready” to sell an important player, hinting that Frenkie de Jong’s transfer to Manchester United could be completed imminently.
Barca’s financial problems are well known, and though Laporta indicated that there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel for the Camp Nou side, he also suggested that the playing staff will need closely monitored.
De Jong is the most obvious player for Barca to sell, and though Man Utd have indicated that they are not willing to pay over the odds for a midfielder that FootballTransfers values at €64 million, it is anticipated that a deal can be struck.
Laporta only added fuel to the fire on Saturday when he seemed to suggest that De Jong’s sale will be considered.
“If our economic situation requires the sale of an important player, we are ready for that,” he told Marca.
Laporta promises 'normality'
Barcelona are set to sell a percentage of their La Liga television right and a significant chunk of their BLM arm, which manages the club’s merchandising in order to pay off some of their debt, which stands well in excess of €1 billion. Laporta is confident that this can be done if the club’s socios give it the OK in a critical meeting on Thursday.
“We’re working to clean up Barcelona’s economic situation,” he said. “If the socios agree with it on Thursday at the General Assembly, that will be good news and we can clean up the situation soon than expected.
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“We’ll be able to empower the professional teams and have a certain degree of normality.
“The club was in a terminal situation. We have restructured the debt, managed the financing of Espai Barca. We’re focused on cleaning up the finances.”
Even if Laporta sees Barcelona pass these motions, though, the likelihood is that De Jong’s transfer to Man Utd will remain on the table. It would, however, give them a stronger negotiating position.
