Barcelona transfer news

MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly interested in TWO Barcelona stars, despite BOTH of them rejecting the Red Devils last season.Erik ten Hag is hoping to bolster his squad in the summer United set to return to the Champions League.
Frenkie de Jong has been linked with Manchester United for more than a yearCredit: Alamy
Ronald Araujo could also leave Barcelona this summerCredit: Alamy
And they are understood to be plotting a return for Barcelona duo Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo.
According to Mundo Deportivo, United are planning to swoop for centre-back Araujo if the Catalan giants’ financial situation means they fail to register him for the 2023/24 campaign.
The Uruguayan defender, 24, has been a key part of Xavi’s defence which has conceded just 15 goals in 35 LaLiga games this season.
But United failed to sign him last summer when he opted to pen a contract extension to keep him at Barcelona until 2026.
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He then came out and told ESPN: “I am really happy and I am convinced that staying is the right decision because there are good years ahead for the club. I was always certain I wanted to stay.
“There were big offers from abroad, but I’m happy at Barcelona. My family love it here and the fans and my team-mates have always made me feel at home. I’m grateful for the effort the club have made.
“We all gave a little bit to reach an agreement, which is what we all wanted. [The Premier League interest] didn’t distract me at all.
“I was convinced what I wanted. It’s true money is a factor, but for me it’s not the most important thing.
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“I am happy at Barcelona. The idea is to be here for many years, and maybe in two years I can renew again and go for even more [success]. That’s the intention. I am convinced that with the team and the project we are building.”
De Jong also publicly rejected a move to Man Utd last summer after a long-running transfer saga.
The Dutch midfielder, 26, who is also under contract until 2026, starred for Ajax under Ten Hag and was thought to be a done deal to come to Old Trafford on a number of occasions.
But he ended up staying, telling NOS: “The club was in a difficult situation and they could have sold me for a big fee. But I didn’t want to go and stayed.
“Manchester United spoke with Barca, even though I wanted to stay. I want to be at Barca for as long as I can.”
Barcelona recently regained the LaLiga title following an impressive domestic campaign.
But they were eliminated by United in the play-off round of the Europa League – having been knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second successive year.
Barcelona are thought to be in the process of offloading players so they can afford to bring Lionel Messi back to the club.
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The Argentine icon, 35, is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
And while a romantic return to Barcelona has been mooted, a move to Saudi Arabia now appears most likely for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. More

SIR ALEX FERGUSON’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has urged Manchester United to go all out for Frenkie de Jong. The Red Devils spent most of last summer chasing the Barcelona man but repeatedly fell short.
Rene Meulensteen was No2 at Old Trafford before spending three months as boss of Fulham in the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
Manager Erik ten Hag has managed to get on just fine without the 26-year-old as United edge closer to a top four spot.
They could also end the season with a domestic cup double if they can mastermind a Wembley win over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final next month.
But Meulensteen, who was United assistant coach between 2007 and 2013, still believes his old side need another top class midfielder to compete at the very top.
He told Man United’s official Scandinavian supporters club: “They need a really good midfield player.
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“Yes, they’ve got Casemiro in there. You’ve got Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes – a lot of experience, a lot of qualities – but there’s also a little bit of a vulnerability because their mindsets are predominantly in going forward.
“I would 100 per cent do everything to get De Jong. He’s got energy, he’s got legs, he’s tactically very, very good in the build-up.
“For De Jong, I think to be fairly honest, he would have already been here if he had not been happy at Barcelona.
“But he’s obviously very happy playing for Barcelona otherwise he would have said, ‘Okay, no problem, sort me out’ because there’s always a way to fill that financial gap. That can never be the reason. But I can see why Ten Hag is chasing him.”
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The summer recruitment of Casemiro and Eriksen helped United plug holes in their midfield.
The pair have been fantastic and helped deliver a solid debut season for ten Hag.
Barcelona’s chaotic financial situation means they could need to sell some of their star players this season, despite winning LaLiga.
United could also be in the market for a new goalkeeper and Meulensteen believes that is also an important area following the long tenure of David de Gea.
He added: “I really like David de Gea, I’ve obviously worked with him myself, lot of experience, done fantastically well. 
“People are judging him sometimes because the mistakes that he’s made in this season in certain games are so much unlike him – which you have to ask the question: why is that?
“That could be because sometimes you can get a bit stale, sometimes you need a new environment or to freshen things up.” More