Barcelona president Joan Laporta has rejected the potential sale of Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has firmly shut down any speculation regarding Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong departure from the club in the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite the midfielder being linked with various European clubs, including Chelsea, Laporta emphasized De Jong’s loyalty to Barcelona as a key factor in their decision to retain him.
De Jong’s commitment to Barcelona appears to be unwavering, making it challenging for the club to consider offloading him. While Chelsea may have shown interest in acquiring the Dutch midfielder, Barcelona’s stance suggests they value his presence and experience in their midfield setup.
For Chelsea, who are reportedly eager to sign De Jong, the news might prompt them to explore other midfield options. With several alternatives available in midfield, including existing players and potential transfer targets, manager Mauricio Pochettino will need to carefully manage the playing time and roles of each midfielder to maintain a balanced and competitive squad.
However, the Blues need a seasoned playmaker who can also help other young midfielders develop quickly, and De Jong’s addition looks ideal for that. But Joan Laporta’s recent remarks, in which he commented and told Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football.London), :
“The last thing he would want would be to leave Barcelona. He has told me more than once that he is delighted to be here. We have a margin. We are delighted with him. I’m not worried about anyone, and if someone wants to leave, we can’t go against a player’s will.’’
Chelsea shouldn’t miss out on the signing of De Jong
The financial aspect adds another layer to Barcelona’s decision regarding Frenkie de Jong’s future. As one of the highest earners at the club, his wages significantly impact Barcelona’s financial situation, which is already precarious. Therefore, there is a push for De Jong to lower his wages to alleviate the club’s financial burden.
Barcelona’s precarious financial state is well-documented, and offloading high-earning players like De Jong could provide some relief. While his departure would undoubtedly help them financially, it seems the club values his contributions on and off the pitch enough to explore other solutions, such as renegotiating his contract.
The past summer transfer window saw Barcelona eager to offload Frenkie de Jong, with Manchester United interested in securing his services with a significant offer. However, De Jong’s reluctance to depart meant he ultimately stayed at Barcelona, despite the club’s desire to sell him.
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De Jong’s versatility and quality make him a highly desirable target for Chelsea. As a midfielder capable of excelling in various roles, he would offer valuable depth and tactical flexibility to the team. His ability to contribute defensively while also orchestrating play in midfield aligns well with Chelsea’s style of play under Mauricio Pochettino.
With the right approach and negotiation, Chelsea could potentially land De Jong and significantly strengthen their midfield options for the future. His arrival would undoubtedly be met with excitement among fans and could further elevate the team’s aspirations for success on multiple fronts.