Marc-Andre Ter Stegen jokes he’ll tie Frenkie de Jong to a chair to stop him leaving Barcelona for Man United after successfully persuading the Dutch star to stay last summer… as the two old rivals prepare to meet in the Europa League
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has joked he’ll tie Frenkie de Jong to a chair to prevent him joining Manchester United this summer.
Having missed out on the Netherlands midfielder last year, Erik ten Hag could well insist United return for a player he regards as a top transfer priority.
But Ter Stegen has revealed how he persuaded De Jong to reject United and remain at the Nou Camp – and intends to do whatever it takes again.
The two clubs are set to meet in the UEFA Europa League play-off round, with the first leg in Catalonia this Thursday evening.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the game, the German goalkeeper imitated tying some imaginary rope around his own leg when asked about his role in De Jong staying at Barcelona.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (right) has joked he’ll tie Frenkie de Jong (left) to a chair to prevent him leaving Barcelona for Manchester United this summer
United manager Erik ten Hag identified De Jong as one of his primary transfer targets
‘I think one day I will just put something here to keep him here forever. I hope he will be here for a long time,’ Ter Stegen said.
‘I was hoping that he would stay [last summer] because this is the type of players I want to have in my team.
‘There were many rumours and discussions but I am just happy that he stayed; I don’t want him to leave.
‘I have a super high opinion of him but I also expect a lot from him because of the player he is. He has so much talent.
‘He sees and feels football in a different way and he is someone that players like Gavi and Pedri, for example, can look up to.’
United and Barcelona agreed an initial £63million fee for De Jong last summer but the midfielder didn’t want to join Ten Hag’s rebuild at Old Trafford.
In the end, United paid Real Madrid £70m to sign the Brazilian Casemiro and also snapped up Danish star Christian Eriksen.
However, Casemiro’s recent suspension and other injury issues have exposed a lack of depth in United’s midfield and further reinforcements are likely to be needed in the summer.
De Jong is a key player for Barcelona and they will be reluctant to let him leave
The recent suspension to Casemiro (right) and Christian Eriksen’s (left) injury have left United short of midfield options
An injury to Eriksen forced United into the loan market last month to sign Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer – with the Austrian open to making that a permanent move.
United are still fighting on four fronts in a demanding fixture schedule that is stretching their squad.
They are third in the Premier League table as they push for a return to Champions League football for next season.
In addition, they will face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on February 26 and West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round on March 1.
Prior to that, they face LaLiga leaders Barcelona away and then home in the Europa League on consecutive Thursdays.
Earlier this month, Barca president Joan Laporta insisted the club doesn’t need to sell stars like De Jong despite promising to slash their wage bill by £150million.
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