Barcelona President Joan Laporta Rules Out Selling Frenkie De Jong

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said Frenkie de Jong is not for sale. The 25-year-old was the subject of a lengthy transfer saga last summer with Manchester United and Chelsea both showing interest in the midfielder.

Laporta said on Thursday: “About De Jong, I admit there were clubs interested in buying him last summer, but he was not for sale and he won’t be.

“De Jong is a very appealing footballer, we know that, but I insist he’s not for sale. No matter what can be discussed in internal meetings, there’s a club opinion above everything. And from the club point of view, De Jong is not for sale.” Laporta also said Ousmane Dembele will not be allowed to depart the club even if a bid in the region of €70million (£62m) was made by a rival.

Dembele’s current contract is due to expire in June 2024 but Laporta is not looking to cash in on the France winger. “He’s one of the most important players in the team. He feels he’s important. I’d say he’s one of our big guns. He’s as quick as a lightning. He’s not for sale, not even for €70m.”

Laporta’s Barcelona are currently top of La Liga, level on points with second-placed Real Madrid.

De Jong ended up staying in Spain and Laporta has said he sees him as a key part of Barcelona’s first-team squad. He has scored two goals in 18 games for Barcelona this season.