FC Barcelona President Laporta Rules Out De Jong Sale To Manchester United And Speaks On Dembele Renewal

FC Barcelona have ruled out the sale of midfielder Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United.

The two teams have been reported as close to agreeing a €65mn ($68mn) plus add-ons deal for the 25-year-old who joined the Catalans from Ajax for €75mn ($80mn) in 2019.

According to Barca president Joan Laporta on Saturday evening, however, the playmaker isn’t going anywhere in news that will come as a bombshell to United fans reeling from Crisitiano Ronaldo reportedly wishing to leave the Red Devils to play Champions League football.

“We have no intention of selling him and he wants to stay. I will do everything in my power to make him stay,” Laporta vowed.

“Manchester United are not the only ones who want him,” Laporta also pointed out, in reference to interest from Chelsea elsewhere in the PremierPINC
League.

As for Ousmane Demebele, who became a free agent on Friday at midnight but is reported as being close to accepting a contract renewal in the coming days, Laporta said: “If he accepts our financial offer, he will stay. We don’t put time limits on anything.”

With less than a year left to run on his current deal, 17-year-old sensation Gavi also needs tying down to fresh terms.

“The Gavi thing is very good. We are very satisfied with how everything has developed with [his agent] Ivan De la Pena and with the player,” Laporta had to say on this.

As per Barca’s transfer targets, Laporta confirmed that his club has spoken to Leeds United regarding right winger Raphinha, with some outlets claiming that the Yorkshiremen accepted a €60mn ($62.5mn) offer for him from the La Liga giants this week.

“What is happening is that there are other clubs that want Raphinha and are making their proposals,” Laporta noted, with Chelsea also lodging a bid north of £55mn ($66mn) for the Brazil international in recent days.

Laporta showed respect to Bayern Munich by stressing that Poland striker Robert Lewandowski is still under contract with the Bavarians meaning he wishes to stay “reserved” about the matter in the media for now.

“We thank him for wanting to come to Barca and we are very flattered,” Laporta added.