Frankie de Jong has broken his silence on the Manchester United transfer saga that dominated the summer and revealed he never wanted to move to Old Trafford.
The Dutch star was incoming Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's number one target, and at one point had agreed a fee with Barcelona to bring De Jong to the club.
However, agreeing personal terms proved too difficult, with the 25-year-old determined to stay with the LaLiga giants.
Barcelona were keen on cashing in on De Jong as they looked to ease their perilous financial situation. With United willing to pay £65million to secure the Dutchman's signature, a figure the Barca hierarchy were keen on taking.
Yet De Jong, despite the club owning him a hefty sum in wages, stood firm and has now addressed the situation while on media duty for Netherlands' upcoming Nations League fixtures with Poland and Belgium.
When asked about the interest from the Premier League over the summer, De Jong said:
'Chelsea and Man United interest? I already decided in May that I wanted to stay at Barcelona. I never changed this decision during the summer.' Reiterating his stance that he was never open to a move away from the Nou Camp.
He later added that at times during the summer he and Barcelona did not always agree on where he would be playing his football this season.
'I can't give too much details away. But look.. the club has it's own idea's and I have my own idea's too and sometimes this clashes with each other. But at the end of the day things went okay.'
United spent most the summer chasing De Jong and many expected the midfielder to link-up with his former Ajax manager once again in Manchester.
However, as the weeks ticked down it became clear that United would need to find alternative options, and instead drafted in former Spurs star Christian Eriksen on a free transfer after leaving Brentford.
Eriksen was followed by De Jong's LaLiga rival Casemiro, who ended a nine-year stint at Real Madrid to join the Red Devils in a £60million deal.
Both players have been quick hits at Old Trafford and after a disappointing start to the season, United are now on a four-match winning run in the Premier League.
Kadiekanu
0
Still u didn’t won against Bayern Munich
Kipklmotyz
0
Let de Jong or de Old to stay at Barca plz! We dont need him bcz we have Eriksen
fueceiop
1
maguire fred Jones tuanzebe bissaka telles elanga Heaton Henderson donny...will definitely leave Manchester united sooner or later because they're ready to sit on the bench....they have to play to rediscover form....One thing Erik must do to succeed in Manchester United is total overhaul of players and staff...thats the number key to his success that's why pep and klopp are still unbeatable even Arteta is learning too....let the players leave and Search for clubs that will suit them instead of them to stay and accumulate debt with huge wages....meanwhile de jong we don't need you okay and we got better players I believe if we secure constant top4 then Midfielders like jude..kroos..teliesman will definitely come to united with other players at ease so we don't need you
Maxpower
1
I love this from players because honestly it would've been funny if he pulled a Morata if he came to United and said "it's a dream come true to play at a club as big as Manchester United" I would've died laughing at Barcelona if they let De Jong go like they let Arthur go to get Pjanic, one of the worst player transfers I've seen in history
AlameenMalami
1
Culers too wanted you to stay 🔴🔵
Miodioptz
1
Hell with him let him stay where he wants to play for whatever reason
hoacdirty
2
Mr ten haag, please forget de jong, Please brings Bellingham he's too young than de jong, 💯
jezabdnpyz
2
Yes.., De Jong Wanted To Stay But Barca Didn't Want Him. The Truth Is Barca Was Forced To Keep De Jong Because They Didn't Want To Pay De Jong The Money They Are Supposed To Pay Him. Love For The Club❓‼️[Crylaugh] Money Rules Above All.
TherdoreJovanny
0
Coz no club on the world will give the same salary he is getting there now 😂
Yodailmnps
5
United has already moved on without you, so remain where your heart is, no offence life goes on.
thunderbirdz
0
I don't really understand why barca want sell him, right now dis guy is one of most important player in barca squad..
WasswaJosephAfrikane
1
its a better club for his future
emma_1017
0
warm the bench there
sad for a untd fan but lets hope he will come to untd some time
Yicdiknpsu
4
warm the bench there