Man Utd issued HANDS OFF warning by Barcelona

Cameron Smith

• 26 Feb 2024 06:08 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona sporting director Deco has insisted that Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong will not be sold this summer, despite heavy interest in the pair.

Manchester United have been linked with signing both players, while Araujo has also been touted as a possible transfer target for Bayern Munich amid Matthijs de Ligt’s uncertain future at the Allianz Arena.

However, although Erik ten Hag would like to bolster his squad with the additions of Araujo and De Jong, Deco has revealed that Barcelona will not sell either player.

“Nothing will happen to them [Araujo and De Jong],” he told Movistar (via The Mirror) on Saturday: “They have a contract and all the big clubs want to keep their best players and these are some of the best.

"They are important players for the present and for the future. They have earned the right to be here and the respect of the fans and everyone. We know where we want to go and we are counting on them.

“He [Lewandowski] is a world-class reference. He has a great ability to score goals. I have seen very few players as professional and dedicated to football as him. He is a gift for us.”

Although they have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Araujo and De Jong, Man Utd have also been linked with the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite, Jean-Clair Todibo and Amadou Onana as they search for a new centre-back and a new defensive midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.

Frenkie de Jong denies Barcelona exit talk

While De Jong has been heavily touted for a possible Barcelona exit in recent years, the Dutchman is not pushing to leave the club.

FootballTransfers understand that rumours linking him with a departure are completely false, while the Dutchman recently confirmed this, stating: “A lot of stuff that is not true has come out. I can't understand it, people reporting lies. It's irritating me a little. For example, [the media] speak a lot about my contract, my salary etc

“I am really happy at Barça, I have always said it. This is the club of my dreams, I hope I can play here for many more years.”