Man United official considers Barcelona’s behaviour during de Jong talks as ‘disgraceful’

It is no hidden secret that Manchester United tried extremely hard to secure the signing of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the summer. However, their efforts proved futile as the 25-year-old remained firm on his stance about wanting to continue in Catalonia.

But a report from Manchester Evening News claims that de Jong was not as firm about not wanting to join the Red Devils this summer and might have been open to a transfer.

Manchester United and Barcelona had struck an agreement with each other over an €85 million transfer for the Netherlands international.

And while it was believed that the Premier League giants were unable to agree personal terms with de Jong, the report states that they had indeed reached a verbal agreement with his agent, Ali Dursun, over the midfielder’s salary, hinting that a move could have been possible.

However, the transfer stumbled due to de Jong’s deferred wages at Barcelona, with the Catalans reportedly asking Manchester United to cover them as well.

With the move collapsing eventually, Manchester United director John Murtough, who had flown to Barcelona to hold negotiations, privately described Barcelona’s behaviour in the whole matter as ‘disgraceful’.

De Jong was also a subject of interest from Chelsea while an unnamed club are said to have tabled an offer worth over €100 million on the transfer deadline day.

In the end, though, the Netherlands international has stayed put at Spotify Camp Nou and will look to play an important part in Xavi’s plans even though he has not started in two of the three matches that the Blaugrana have played in La Liga so far.