Marc-Andre ter Stegen wants Frenkie de Jong to stay at Barcelona
By Sean Walsh
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has insisted that while he would like Frenkie de Jong to stay at the club, the matter is not his to discuss.
90min understands Manchester United have agreed an €85m fee with Barça for the Dutchman, who is dragging his heel regarding a sum of roughly €20m in deferred wages. However, the Red Devils are considering ways to help cover that amount with Chelsea also interested in a deal.
Barcelona club president Joan Laporta has said that he wants De Jong to stay at the club and may not even need to take a wage cut to do so, contrary to reports in Spain and England. Head coach Xavi has since admitted this may not be the reality, though.
Ter Stegen was asked about De Jong's future after Barça's 2-0 pre-season win at New York Red Bulls, and he wasn't too impressed with the question.
"What answer do you want? This is a matter of the club and the player. Obviously, we always want the best players in the team. And he is just that, a footballer with a lot of quality and we want him to stay, but I don't get involved. [The matter] belongs to the club," he told Marca.
Listen now to 90min's Talking Transfers podcast, with Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey, Harry Symeou & Toby Cudworth. On the latest show they discuss Cristiano Ronaldo holding talks with Man Utd over his future, Barcelona signing Jules Kounde ahead of Chelsea, Man City rewarding Phil Foden with a new contract and more. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.
If you can't see the podcast embed, click here to download the episode in full!
Having made a number of big-money signings this summer - including Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde - Ter Stegen is happy that Barcelona are building a competitive squad again.
"It's true that we now have a fairly competitive team in the locker room. People are fighting for their position every day. That makes everyone better," he said.