Frenkie de Jong has finally opened up on months of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United – and suggests there was a campaign designed to undermine his position at Barcelona among the Spanish media.
United manager Erik ten Hag made a move for De Jong his No 1 priority of the summer window. After taking over an under-performing Red Devils side, he very quicky realised that their midfield was an area of weakness. As such, his former Ajax protege, De Jong, was very quickly seen as a priority signing.
But getting a deal over the line proved incredibly problematic. For days United were forced to squabble with Barcelona over a fee for the Dutchman. However, the two clubs did settle on an initial £63m fee, with add-ons taking his signing well over the £70m mark.
However, persuading De Jong to make the move proved even more difficult. And despite making the trip out to Spain to try and smooth over negotiations, the writing was surely on the wall when a report indicating the 10 reasons why De Jong was opposed to the move materialised.
That led United director of football John Murtough coming to a painful realisation over the transfer saga.
Truth be told, efforts to prise De Jong away from Barcelona appeared doomed from the off.
The entire episode was fraught with difficulties with the media in Spain seemingly using De Jong in a tactical transfer game.
Frenkie De Jong unhappy with media lies
A big part of that were the claims made about the wages the player earns at Barcelona. At the time, it was alleged he was the highest earning player at Barcelona and that he would need to accept a reduced salary in order to stay.
Amid all that, though, were also claims that De Jong was owed millions in deferred wages by Barcelona as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
That even prompted a reaction from Gary Neville, who found himself embroiled in a war of words. That saw Neville hitting out at Joan Laporta over the behaviour of the Barca president.
The whole saga, however, left a bitter taste in the mouth of De Jong. He claims “there has been a campaign against him” in the media that spread lies about him amid United’s interest in taking him to Old Trafford.
Asked by Ziggo Sport on the saga, De Jong hit back at allegations claiming he is their highest earning player since Lionel Messi.
He said: “I don’t think I am. There has been a campaign. Look, I never spoke a word myself. But the club is spreading, or the media that’s part of the club, has been spreading lies and a lot is fake.
“In each of the first three years I played here, I cut my salary. So eventually money has to come back and it will drop on your normal salary so of course it will look bigger. I think many people don’t understand this, the numbers the media are spreading are fake.”
De Jong likely to remain on United transfer radar
Despite United instead moving to sign Casemiro, it is likely the club will keep a close watch on De Jong’s situation at Barcelona.
He has been in and out of Xavi’s side this season, with competition for midfield places really strong at the Nou Camp.
Indeed, he has made 11 appearances in LaLiga and the Champions League, with seven of those coming off the bench.
However, despite De Jong’s desire to stay, there remains a strong feeling in Spain that Barcelona were willing to cash in.
The 25-year-old is rated as one of the club’s most saleable assets, especially with Pedri and Gavi coming through the ranks.
And reports are indicating that United could yet make a fresh move to bring him to Old Trafford in 2023.
However, Ten Hag is likely to need to prioritise other areas of his side first. To that end, a new striker is likely regarded as very much top of their needs.
Indeed, amid ongoing doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo, it is likely United will look to spend big there first and foremost.