Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that the club want Frenkie de Jong to stay this summer.
De Jong's future has been the subject of much speculation over the last couple of months, with Manchester United working to bring him to Old Trafford.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is said to be desperate for a reunion with the player that he managed at Ajax, and various reports have claimed that Man United have already agreed a transfer fee for the 25-year-old.
However, De Jong said earlier this summer that Barcelona were his "dream club", and the midfielder is believed to be determined to remain at Camp Nou.
"I prefer to stay with Barcelona. Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age. I just said it too. I've never regretted my choice despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes than I've achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice," the midfielder told ESPN in June.
"You are always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player," De Jong also told reporters in June. "But I think I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment and feel fine there so there is no news."
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A recent report claimed that Man United were still confident of signing the Dutchman this summer despite seemingly being hit with a series of setbacks.
The 20-time English champions allegedly believe that the £14m owed to De Jong by Barcelona in deferred wages is one of the main obstacles preventing the deal from going through.
However, Laporta has now claimed that his club are not looking to sell the midfielder and will 'do their best' to keep hold of him despite their financial problems.
"Frenkie is Barca player. We want him to stay, he wants to stay. We've received important bids for him but he's our player," Laporta told reporters. "You know salary budget situation; so we will do our best to keep Frenkie at Barca... and I hope he'll do the same."
Barcelona have been active this summer amid their financial issues, bringing in Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde.
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The club are therefore under pressure to make a big sale this summer, and a deal for De Jong could potentially see them receive as much as £70m, in addition to moving his substantial salary away from Camp Nou.
De Jong made 46 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing four goals and five assists in the process.
Meanwhile, he has represented the La Liga outfit on 138 occasions since arriving in 2016, contributing 13 goals and 17 assists, winning the Copa del Rey in 2020-21.
The Dutchman has been involved in Barcelona's pre-season matches this summer but has been played out of position in the middle of the defence in an apparent bid to send a message.
Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in De Jong this summer, and it is believed that he would favour a switch to Stamford Bridge over Man United if given the choice.
Matt Law
