Frenkie De Jong: Barcelona midfielder 'wants to stay' says club president Laporta

2 years ago 25

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Frenkie de Jong "wants to stay" at Barcelona despite interest from Manchester United, says the club's president Joan Laporta.

De Jong came on at half-time and scored in Barcelona's 6-0 friendly win over Pumas UNAM on Sunday.

"He is a Barca player of great quality and we want him to stay," said Laporta.

"He has offers but we want him to stay and he wants to stay too."

De Jong has been linked with a move to Chelsea, but is also a key target for new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, whose side lost 2-1 at home to Brighton on Sunday in his first game in charge.

Reports have suggested Barcelona want De Jong to take a wage cut should he remain at the Nou Camp, amid the club's financial troubles.

The club are currently involved in a disagreement with De Jong over wages deferred by the Dutchman in the last couple of years which are now due to be paid.

Barcelona have so far spent over £120m this summer on new signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde, with Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie arriving on free transfers.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's Spain left-back Marcos Alonso is also close to joining the club.

Barcelona raised money for transfers this summer by selling shares of their domestic television rights and in-house production company, Barca Studios.

However, the club has failed to register the players with La Liga requesting that more money be raised.

Should Barcelona not register their new signings in time, they will not be available for their season opener against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Lewandowski shines on debut

Four of Barcelona's new arrivals were involved during their 6-0 friendly win over Mexican side Pumas, with Lewandowkski impressing on his debut.

The Poland striker, who joined from Bayern Munich for £42.6m last month, opened his account in the third minute with a neat finish from a tight angle, while also providing two assists for Pedri.

Raphinha, who moved from Leeds this summer in a deal worth up to £55m, was also in the starting line-up, while Kessie and Kounde came on as second-half substitutes.

Goals from Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and De Jong completed the scoring.

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