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Frenkie de Jong’s comments to Barcelona teammates provide fresh blow to Manchester United pursuit despite transfer agreement

Frenkie de Jong has cast fresh doubt over a move to Manchester United by telling Barcelona teammates there is no chance he will leave.

United looked to have finally made the breakthrough in their long-standing pursuit of the Dutch midfielder when the two clubs agreed a deal worth up to £72million earlier this week.

But it appears that De Jong still has some lingering doubts over a move to Old Trafford with the 25-year-old believed to be settled in Catalonia.

Reports have also surfaced that the midfielder has instructed his agent to inform United CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough to turn their attention elsewhere.

Despite De Jong’s reluctance to leave the Nou Camp, Barca have their sights set on his departure to enable the club to register their new signings and comply with financial fair play.

Barcelona officials met with De Jong on Thursday to inform him of the club’s position and the need for him to accept United’s proposal to help ease the financial burden.

But De Jong is standing his ground and remaining defiant with Spanish newspaper Sport reporting the Dutchman told his team-mates: “It is impossible for me to leave. How am I going to leave Barca?”

It appears that even the lure of working with his former boss at Ajax Erik ten Hag is not enough for the midfielder to uproot and move to the north west of England.

A reunion for De Jong and Ten Hag is on the cards but the midfielder appears reluctant to move to Manchester United

De Jong joined Barcelona in 2019 but now the Catalan giants need to offload the Dutchman to balance the clubs finances

De Jong and his girlfriend recently bought a house and enjoy life in Barcelona while the midfielder still feels he can contribute to the Catalan giants on the pitch.

It appears that the saga will continue to rumble on with the club and player on different pages relating to his future.

United may have to show a little more patience if they are to finally land their target.

Barcelona ‘to prioritise Frenkie de Jong sale after agreeing Raphinha fee’

Barcelona are reportedly set to prioritise selling Frenkie de Jong this summer after agreeing a transfer with Leeds United for Raphinha.

The Catalan giants have been pursuing the Brazilian throughout the transfer window, competing with Chelsea for his signature, with the Blues agreeing a fee with Leeds for the winger.

While Barcelona initially failed to make a suitable offer, they decided to match Chelsea’s offer of £60m up front with a further £5m in add-ons.

The bid should open the door for a move to Camp Nou for Raphinha who regards Barcelona as his preferred destination.

While Raphinha could be on his way in, according to the Mirror, Barcelona will turn their focus to offloading Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked with a transfer to Manchester United.

United manager Erik ten Hag is keen to reunite with the player he once managed at Ajax, although De Jong has expressed a desire to remain at Camp Nou.

The midfielder is also owed £17m in unpaid wages, which is proving to be a stumbling block in a potential transfer, although Barcelona are confident that they can come to an agreement with De Jong over the matter.

De Jong, who has four years remaining on his current contract, has made 130 appearances for Barcelona.