Frenkie De Jong Left ‘Disgusted’ By Barcelona After Phone Call With Xavi

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been left ‘disgusted’ by the club after a phone call with manager Xavi confirmed their decision to sell him to Manchester United. 

The Dutch international returned to training at the club’s facilities on Monday. 

United officials Richard Arnold and John Murtough later flew to the city to finalise an agreement between the two parties. They met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and the club’s transfer officials Mateu Alemany, Jordi Cruyff and Rafa Yuste. 

According to Mundo Deportivo, Monday’s meeting was the second direct meeting between the two clubs after a meeting was held last Thursday. 

It has been reported that United had agreed an initial transfer fee of £56 million with the Nou Camp club. But now, Catalan TV station TV3 reported that a package worth £72 million will be finalised. On Monday night, Xavi called De Jong to inform him of the situation. 

The 25-year-old is believed to be aware of Barcelona’s economic situation and their desperate need to sell but has been left disappointed by the manner in which they have handled the situation. He is said to have been left isolated throughout the negotiation process. 

De Jong is said to be grateful for the strong interests shown by United and in particular Erik ten Hag, who has held a phone call with the midfielder outlining his importance to the rebuild at the Old Trafford club. 

The player was told that he would be the ‘conductor of the orchestra’ and would be one of the very first names on Ten Hag’s team sheet. 

Just last week, Barcelona president Laporta said that de Jong was ‘not for sale’, but it has been widely reported that privately they have always been willing to sell the Dutchman. United believed that the public quotes by Laporta were simply a negotiating tactic. 

The transfer saga involving De Jong and United has gone on for a long time, but it looks like United are finally able to get their man. De Jong will be the first marquee signing of the Ten Hag era. 

Meanwhile, United are currently in Thailand for the first part of their pre season tour. Red Devils fans will have their first chance to watch Ten Hag's side when they take on arch rivals Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday.