Barcelona chief reveals Frenkie de Jong 'proposals' amid Manchester United interest

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted that Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong could be sold this summer to help the club financially.

De Jong is a firm target for United ahead of the transfer window officially opening on June 10. The club are desperate to strengthen their central-midfield options this summer and the Netherlands international is among a range of targets.

New United manager Erik ten Hag — who worked with De Jong at Ajax prior to him joining Barcelona in 2019 — is keen to be reunited with the midfielder at Old Trafford and is understood to have reached out to his agent. Ten Hag will hope to convince De Jong to make the move to the Premier League, but a lack of Champions League football next season could be a stumbling block.

READ MORE: Frenkie de Jong has just told Manchester United what he wants

De Jong has become a key figure in Barcelona boss Xavi's plans since he took charge in November, ending the 2021/22 campaign with 46 appearances to his name. He also chipped in with four goals and five assist.

But despite his importance, Barcelona remain in financial trouble, meaning they could be forced to offload him for the greater good of the club's future. And president Laporta, despite admitting that they would like to keep De Jong, has hinted that they might be forced to offload him.

Laporta said: "He has a lot of quality, he knows our system and he's a player we think should continue at Barca. But it's also true that he's a highly coveted player and we have had proposals from others.

"Right now, everything is open. It will depend a lot on the issue of fair play."

Laporta's admission contradicts Xavi's previous comments about De Jong's future. At the end of April, the Barca boss