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Frenkie de Jong has confirmed Manchester United were in talks with Barcelona over his transfer last summer. However, he was not interested in leaving Camp Nou and stayed put.
Barcelona were in desperate need to raise funds last summer and de Jong was their most sellable asset as Manchester United and Chelsea were interested. Reports suggest both clubs were willing to offer over £80 million for the Dutchman but could not get the deal done.
Speaking to NOS today, de Jong confirmed that Barcelona had a big offer from Manchester United. He decided to reject the chance of reuniting with Erik ten Hag and said:
"The club was in a difficult situation and they could have sold me for a big fee. But I didn't want to go and stayed. Manchester United spoke with Barça, even though I wanted to stay. I want to be at Barça for as long as I can."
He was quizzed about the possibility of getting sold last summer as well in an interview with De Stentor. In reply, he said:
"I understand that. But the club didn't tell me anything. They didn't propose anything to me, so I am assuming that nothing is going on. I have never felt regret regarding choosing Barca, definitely not. Barca is the club of my dreams, it has been since I was a kid."
De Jong has been a vital part of Xavi's Barcelona side this season as they clinched the La Liga title.
Manchester United target was determined to stay at Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong spoke to De Stentor early last summer, even before the transfer window opened, and revealed that he had no plans to leave Barcelona.
He told the Dutch publication:
"Of course I hear about the links to Manchester United, but the people in charge of the club (Barça) didn't tell me anything. So then I will assume that there is no agreement, and that nothing is going on. So then I won't worry about it too."
He added:
"If I have been in contact with Ten Hag? I won't tell you this. I wouldn't tell you this if it was about another manager or club too. I did talk with Xavi about next season, but that was just about football, about the squad and what is needed to improve."
De Jong went on to play 28 matches in La Liga this season and scored twice while assisting thrice.
