Gary Neville’s sarcastic response to Frenkie de Jong’s Man Utd transfer saga as Barcelona ‘prioritise sale of star’
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GARY NEVILLE could not resist a sarcastic response after a report emerged that Barcelona were “prioritising the sale” of Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong.
The Red Devils have been chasing the Dutch midfielder all summer but have failed to make any breakthrough so far.
United reportedly reached a £71.5million agreement with Barca to sign De Jong, 25, but issues arose over the millions that he's owed in backdated wages by the Catalan giants.
Also, a number of contrasting reports keep emerging whether or not he has any interest in United with a move to Chelsea believed to be his preferred option.
The ex-Ajax ace, who played under Erik ten Hag previously, allegedly has serious concerns over the “erratic” way in which the club is being run.
The Netherlands international is not thrilled with the idea of moving to Manchester nor the fact he will have no Champions League football this coming season as well.
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That is why he reportedly prefers a move to Chelsea this summer.
Now a fresh report from Sport journalist Lluis Miguelsanz in Spain claims that “Barcelona are prioritising selling Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay” this summer.
It says that manager Xavi will hold a meeting with both players in the US to try and convince them to leave and “will push for it, which could end up working”.
However, United legend Neville appears to remain unconvinced and seems to be growing tired of the constant “will he, won’t he” transfer saga.
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He was responding to a tweet from Sky Sports, where he now works as a pundit, which read: “Frenkie de Jong has NO interest in joining because he 'dislikes' the city and believes the club is run erratically.”
And he replied: “But apart from that he’s desperate to come.”
De Jong has rarely been used during Barcelona’s pre-season so far - in a potential sign that the skint LaLiga team want rid of his contract.
Xaxi left De Jong out of the club's first friendly contest against local Girona-based side Unio Esportiva Olot last week.
And then the Dutchman was only introduced off the bench for the second half of Barca's 6-0 smashing of Phil Neville’s Inter Miami.
The Catalan club are said to be unwilling to commit to pay the midfielder £14.5m he is owed following a restructure of his contract.
De Jong recently 'liked' a post on Instagram that said: "I dislike the way we have handled Frenkie's situation".
The Dutchman wants £24million from Barcelona having taken a reduction in wages during the pandemic on the understanding that the shortfall would be paid later.
The Spaniards want United to pay the money, but Old Trafford chiefs are refusing.