Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has sought to ‘clarify’ the ongoing situation surrounding Frenkie De Jong’s proposed move to Manchester United.
As this seemingly never-ending transfer saga rumbles on Romano has offered his two cents into the Barcelona midfielder’s current frame of mind.
United have already agreed to pay Barca a guaranteed fee of €75m (£63m) with a further €10m (£8.47m) in add-ons (The Athletic) but the Red Devils will still have to convince the Dutchman to negotiate personal terms with the club.
It is said that the Catalan giants owe the maestro £17m in deferred wages having taking a significant pay cut during the COVID pandemic and extended his contract until 2026 in order for repayments to be made (90min).
He is thought to be looking the issue to be resolved before committing to a transfer to Old Trafford and talkSPORT’s insider Alex Crook has even suggested that United themselves may have to help fund what he is owed.
The cash-strapped Catalans are £1bn in debt and according to Ferran Correas (via United Transer Room) the club have told De Jong that he ‘must’ accept the Red Devils’ proposal.
Speaking on the situation Romano has now explained the 25-year-old’s dilemma as he weighs up his options.
Speaking on the Que Golazo YouTube channel on Friday he said:
(8:54)” I want to clarify one thing, Frankie is not refusing Manchester United, he’s refusing to leave Barcelona it’s something different.
“He respects Manchester United. So the point is not Man United or these kinds of stories, it’s about Barca.
“He wants to continue with Barca he wants to play for Barca and he loves the city. He bought a new home a few weeks ago in Barcelona, so you know, he just wants to stay this is the point.
“But my opinion is pretty clear. The Manchester United proposal is a very good one and you have Erik ten Hag, the chance to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. So it’s a very, very good one.
“But I know that Frankie really loves Barcelona. It’s his dream. It was his dream to play for Barcelona. So I understand his position.
TIF Thoughts on De Jong and United…
Do you see De Jong leaving Barcelona for Man Utd?
Yes
No
It is well-known that Erik ten Hag has prioritised the signing of his former Ajax starlet and not being able to complete a deal for their primary target at this juncture would be extremely disappointing.
De Jong has been included in the club’s squad for their pre-season tour of the USA despite Barca threatening to leave the 2018/19 Champions League midfielder of the season at home which raises further questions as to whether or not he will he lining out in the Premier League come August.
It’s time for United to get tough with Barcelona and get them to solve this wages issue threatening to walk away. Barcelona are signing players they can’t register until this is solved so why are United being the patsy? Go and get Laimar, Tieleman, Neves, or one of the other good midfielders out there. It will take the pressure off and we need one of them anyway. Barca need to sell, we would like to buy but we don’t have to buy De Jong.
Colin clarke has spoken well, man utd should move on and leave barca and de jong,there are good midfielders out there go get one lets keep working on our team ,i know whether de Jong is there or not man utd will be a different team this season i wish man utd a successful outing this season. Raymond