Frenkie de Jong’s reluctance to join Manchester United has taken many by surprise. United have been trying to convince the Netherlands midfielder to leave Barcelona for Old Trafford but have failed to get the desired result so far.
New United manager Erik ten Hag has made it clear that he wants De Jong in the team and the club is doing all it can to bring the midfielder to Manchester. Earlier this week, United chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough were spotted in Barcelona.
According to reports, the duo was in Barcelona to finalise the signing of De Jong. Arnold and Murtough reportedly met with Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany, managing director Rafael Yuste and sporting adviser Jordi Cruyff.
Not only United but Barcelona are also keen on releasing the 25-year old. Both the clubs have reportedly struck a deal but De Jong is in no mood to leave the Spanish club.
United have agreed to pay a fee of £63 million, which potentially includes an additional £8.47m in add-ons. However, De Jong is not willing to change his stance and give the green light to the transfer.
Here’s why Frenkie de Jong is not willing to leave Barcelona:
With Barcelona and Manchester United reportedly agreeing on a deal for the transfer of Frenkie de Jong, the player’s insistence on staying at Camp Nou has taken by many surprise.
It is indeed a bit surprising as to why would a player reject the chance to work with his former manager under whom he did well at Ajax to stay at a club that does not want his services any more. Not only that, reports from Spain have suggested that Barcelona manager Xavi has also told De Jong to leave the club.
Manchester United have reached full agreement with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, after further talks. Package worth €85m. Fee guaranteed around €75m plus add-ons. ??? #MUFC
Personal terms, still the issue to be resolved – as Frenkie’s priority is to stay at Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/aTYnV3cHkP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2022
Well, there could be two reasons behind de Jong’s decision to not leave Barcelona for United.
According to reports, de Jong is reluctant to leave Barcelona without reaching an agreement over his £17m in unpaid wages. He is in a stand off with the club after rejecting Barcelona’s request to have the payment of his wages deferred.
De Jong believes that Barcelona will have no option but to honour his contract if he stays. Barcelona, on the other hand, are desperate to sell him in order to register new signings Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie and Raphinha.
Another reason could be De Jong’s willingness to play Champions League football next season. According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, De Jong’s entourage are insisting PSG & Chelsea to make a bid to Barcelona, as the player would rather join them instead of going to Manchester.