FRENKIE DE JONG has dealt Manchester United a fresh transfer blow as he admitted he hopes to stay at Barcelona ‘for many years’.
The Dutch star was among United’s main targets last summer and the Red Devils went all out to try and land him.
But they could not spring the 25-year-old from the Nou Camp despite De Jong being involved in a pay dispute with Barca.
Now any potential transfer looks even further away after the midfielder pledged his future to the Catalan club.
He appeared to hint at a long-term stay in Spain as he made clear he wants to play at the newly renovated Nou Camp, which will not be completed until the 2024-25 season.
De Jong, who signed for Barcelona from Ajax in 2019, told TV3: “I hope I will play at the new Camp Nou.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
“Barcelona is the club of my dreams, so I plan to stay for many years.
“It looks like it’s going to be nice. The plans for the stadium are very good.”
Speculation has continued that United could try to land de Jong when the window opens this summer.
His former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is known to be a big fan but eventually settled for Christian Eriksen when it was clear the deal could not be done.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Chelsea and their owner Todd Boehly are also reported to have interest in de Jong.
United fans got a taste of what the Dutch international could bring when he starred in the Barcelona midfield for the Europa League play-off games last month.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
