BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has insisted Frenkie de Jong is “not for sale” in a blow to Manchester United.
The midfielder was heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford over the summer but stayed put in Spain before a sensational recent report claimed he was open to leaving the Nou Camp.
EPABarcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted Frenkie de Jong won’t be sold[/caption]
But Barca chief Laporta has rubbished any rumours of the Dutchman leaving the club this month.
He revealed “several clubs” are keen on De Jong, 25, who has been a regular for boss Xavi this season.
But, as well as goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Laporta confirmed the Dutchman is not for sale in January.
He also appeared to suggest De Jong will remain on his current contract, following claims Barcelona wanted to sell him in the summer to get his wages off the books.
De Jong then hit back at critics in October who claimed he was refusing to have his wages cut.
Laporta told Cadena SER this week, via Sport: “We will not do anything with the inherited contracts. We will respect them.
“Ter Stegen and De Jong? We are very happy with both. None are for sale.
“Frenkie has significant value, several clubs are interested in him, but he is not for sale.”
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Laporta insisted that nobody is for sale this month, including talented young forward Ansu Fati.
He added: “There is no one from the first team for sale. Not Ansu Fati nor anyone else.”
Boss Xavi also recently announced that he does not want to lose any of his players in January.
He said: “I don’t want Memphis (Depay) or any other player to leave in January.
“I think it’s going be a quiet window for us.”