Ronald Koeman has doubled down on his belief that Frenkie de Jong wants to stay at Barcelona this summer.
Having appointed Erik ten Hag as their new manager, Manchester United identified De Jong as a priority target for the transfer window and reached an agreement in principle with the cash-strapped Catalans over his signature. The fee between those clubs had been settled at €65million (£56.14million).
That was confirmed at the same time as United agreed terms with Feyenoord over Tyrell Malacia. However, while the Netherlands starlet has since put pen to paper on a €15million (£12.9million) move and has also teamed up with United for their pre-season tour, De Jong and Barcelona continue to drag their heels.
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He remains at the Nou Camp amid suggestions Chelsea are set to enter the race for his services. United remain confident that a swoop for De Jong will get over the line, eventually. They are also ready to snap-up free agent Christian Eriksen after he verbally agreed to join a three-year contract.
Speaking about De Jong last month, former Barcelona manager Koeman revealed that the United target is eager to stay put with the La Liga giants. Addressing that saga once again, speaking at the Koeman Cup golf tournament in Sant Esteve de Sesrovires, he further underlined that belief.
He said: "I know the situation of Frenkie and he said it himself the other day he wants to stay. It was his intention to stay at Barcelona and nothing else. That is the only thing I know."
Koeman was Netherlands manager when De Jong moved from Ajax to Barcelona in 2019 and, a year later, inherited the midfielder when appointed at the Nou Camp helm. The 59-year-old has since left that role — but will be reunited with De Jong after the World Cup in Qatar when he replaces Louis van Gaal in charge of the national team.
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