Jun 30, 2023 at 00:23 Update: 15 minutes ago
FC Barcelona refused a bid of 100 million euros for Frenkie de Jong last year. Chairman Joan Laporta claims that the Spanish top club did well in retrospect to keep the then maligned midfielder.
De Jong seemed to be on his way to the exit at Barcelona last summer, which was trying to make room in the financial household. Laporta openly forced the Dutchman to hand in salary, among other things to allow the arrival of other players.
Details from De Jong’s contract even appeared in the Spanish media in an attempt to chase the Orange international away. Manchester United spent a long time on the ropes to take over De Jong, but in the end the former Ajax player stood his ground and remained loyal to his dream club.
On Thursday, Laporta added Esport3 that a departure from De Jong never really got off the ground. “Last year we had a bid of 100 million euros for De Jong. But we did not want to sell him. In the end, we did well to keep him. Some players are not for sale,” said the chairman.
Joan Laporta sees Frenkie de Jong playing an important role at FC Barcelona.Photo: Getty Images
De Jong in FC Barcelona’s future plans
De Jong grew into an important player under coach Xavi last season. Partly thanks to the 26-year-old playmaker, Barcelona won the national title. Laporta wants to become champion again this year with De Jong in the ranks.
“We need to have a competitive squad to keep progressing. We have had offers for De Jong, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo. But we want to keep them because they are important for Barcelona’s present and future .”
Laporta also confirmed that target Marcelo Brozovic is on his way to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Al Nassr. The Internazionale midfielder turned out to be too expensive. “We cannot compete with such amounts. We cannot meet Brozovic, Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) and Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) given our financial situation.”
2023-06-29 22:23:47
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