Roll up, roll up, it’s the Frenkie de Jong saga.
Today, we’re going to go through all the major Spanish sport papers to share what they have to say about the midfielder’s possible move to Manchester United and reunion with Erik ten Hag.
First up, with have Mundo Deportivo, a Catalan paper.
Friday saw Raphinha’s presentation, and at the press conference afterwards, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and director Mateu Alemany were asked about the Dutchman.
Laporta said it isn’t true Barca are being forced to sell him, and then Alemany, potentially contradictory, said it’s Spanish football’s FFP rules which is forcing players to leave.
The president also hinted De Jong will be on the plane as Barca fly to the US on Saturday, Mundo seem annoyed and say: ‘These answers surprise and contrast with the speech of several official sources that spoke the day before to MD.’
Over at Sport, another Catalan newspaper, it’s stated Manchester United’s offer has an ‘expiration date’, and therefore Barcelona have been piling on the pressure to try and make the deal happen.
De Jong isn’t happy with his treatment, but it’s claimed he’s ready to stay and fulfil his contract because he believes he’ll be part of the team.
AS have a column explaining all the blame is being passed to De Jong, and just like Mundo they appear to believe this is increasingly unfair. Words from Laporta and Alemany about Barcelona being a family of Cules are dismissed, because it’s stated if that were the case the club ‘wouldn’t be behaving’ as they are with the midfielder.
Over at Marca, they seem to have had enough of it all, and just cover Friday’s comments.
As it stands, De Jong is expected to get on the flight today for preseason, and his potential move to Manchester United remains in the air.
