Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reiterated his desire to keep Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong this summer.
The Dutch midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag looks to build his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
De Jong is regarded as his number one target, however, according to Laporta, the hope at the Camp Nou is that he’ll start the new campaign with the Catalan side.
Laporta said: “He’s a Barca player and if we don’t have the need, we won’t sell him. We don’t want to sell him.
“We know he has offers, but right now we’re not selling this player.”
Laporta has also been discussing the future of Chelsea and Liverpool target Ousmane Dembele.
The French winger is officially a free agent after his contract at the Camp Nou expired on June 30, however the club president has confirmed that Barcelona are still in contact with the player about a potential new contract.
Addressing Dembele’s situation, Laporta said: “We are in a situation of uncertainty. Right now, we still can’t sign [him].
“We are talking to players we are interested in so they can wait for us. Ousmane is not a Barca player, but we have made him an offer.
“He has not accepted our proposal, but he wants to continue talking. We will continue talking, at least for now.
“Salary balance is necessary for the team to be competitive. All discussions are framed in this context. We’re not in a hurry, although we’re aware that we can’t delay. Let no one expect us not to act with the utmost prudence.”
There has, however, been good news for Barcelona with sporting director Mateu Alemany confirming that Gavi will pen a new deal.
He added: “There is an outline of an agreement. We are highly committed to sorting out this situation.
“He is 17 years of age and we are waiting until he turns 18 on August 5 so he can sign a contract longer than three years. We have small details to close out but we will get it resolved. 100 per cent Gavi will continue at Barça.”
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