Raphinha’s big presentation as a Barcelona player has been taking place on Friday, with the former Leeds United star being wheeled out for the media.
As part of the event, Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta spoke to the press. It had earlier stated that he may share news on Frenkie de Jong’s future, with the club trying to sell him to Manchester United.
There’s even been suggestions Barcelona could leave him out of their preseason trip to the United States, as they apparently continue to try and force him out of the club.
Laporta has made several statements on the player previously, initially insisting the Dutchman wouldn’t be going anywhere this summer, although few believed Barcelona would really fight to keep him in the face of a good offer from Old Trafford.
Inevitably, the earlier claims are right, and Laporta has been asked about De Jong’s current situation.
Laporta was again evasive, quoted by Sport as saying: “It is not true that the club is forcing to sell Frenkie. We are presenting a player (Raphinha) who is going to make history at Barca. It will be Xavi who decides if he travels on tour, but I understand that he is.”
Mateu Alemany added: “Frenkie is a very important player for us and we fully count on him. That’s where the story ends. The fair play system forces players to leave.”
