Manchester United believe Barcelona are trying to drive up midfield star’s price

According to SPORT, Manchester United believe that Barcelona are trying to drive up the price of midfield superstar Frenkie de Jong by stating that he is not for sale and untouchable.

Barça had been looking to offload the Netherlands star last summer and even had reached an agreement with Man United over a transfer. However, the move did not materialise as the midfielder had no intention to leave the club.

But, the Red Devils have continued to hold an interest in de Jong, with manager Erik ten Hag intent on adding his compatriot to the roster at Old Trafford.

Recent reports in England even suggested that de Jong had informed ten Hag that he would be open to a move and that Manchester United will likely make another attempt at signing him next year.

However, Barcelona have changed their stance regarding de Jong. The 25-year-old is now seen as an ‘untouchable’ by manager Xavi Hernandez, who has asked the club to not listen any offers for the Dutchman.

On top of that, club president Joan Laporta and director Jordi Cruyff have stated in the media that there is no plan to sell de Jong and that the midfielder is a part of the team’s long-term plans.

In fact, the aforementioned report states that Barça are unlikely to press the former Ajax man to take a pay cut either despite his wages being an issue.

However, Manchester United believe that this is a tactic by Barcelona to drive up de Jong’s price. The Premier League giants are reportedly aware that the midfielder has problems with the club’s administration and that the Catalans cannot retain him if the player decides to move on.

The Red Devils are also of the opinion that de Jong’s value should be lower than what they had agreed to pay Barcelona last summer as he will have one year less on his contract.

Ultimately, the decision will lie on de Jong and where he sees himself, and given by what he has said in the past, the Netherlands international intends to remain at Barcelona for a long time.