Marc-Andre ter Stegen jokes he’ll tie Frenkie de Jong to a chair to quit him leaving Barcelona for Guy United soon after effectively persuading the Dutch star to continue to be final summertime… as the two aged rivals prepare to fulfill in the Europa League
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has joked he’ll tie Frenkie de Jong to a chair to prevent him becoming a member of Manchester United this summertime.
Owning missed out on the Netherlands midfielder previous calendar year, Erik ten Hag could perfectly insist United return for a player he regards as a top rated transfer priority.
But Ter Stegen has discovered how he persuaded De Jong to reject United and remain at the Nou Camp – and intends to do no matter what it takes once more.
The two golf equipment are established to fulfill in the UEFA Europa League participate in-off spherical, with the to start with leg in Catalonia this Thursday evening.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the recreation, the German goalkeeper imitated tying some imaginary rope around his personal leg when asked about his function in De Jong staying at Barcelona.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (correct) has joked he’ll tie Frenkie de Jong (left) to a chair to stop him leaving Barcelona for Manchester United this summer months
United supervisor Erik ten Hag discovered De Jong as just one of his primary transfer targets
‘I imagine one day I will just set anything below to keep him here without end. I hope he will be below for a lengthy time,’ Ter Stegen reported.
‘I was hoping that he would keep [last summer] simply because this is the style of gamers I want to have in my workforce.
‘There ended up numerous rumours and conversations but I am just joyful that he stayed I don’t want him to leave.
‘I have a super substantial impression of him but I also expect a great deal from him since of the player he is. He has so substantially talent.
‘He sees and feels football in a unique way and he is someone that gamers like Gavi and Pedri, for example, can glance up to.’
United and Barcelona agreed an original £63million payment for De Jong final summer but the midfielder didn’t want to join Ten Hag’s rebuild at Previous Trafford.
In the stop, United paid Real Madrid £70m to sign the Brazilian Casemiro and also snapped up Danish star Christian Eriksen.
On the other hand, Casemiro’s recent suspension and other injuries issues have exposed a absence of depth in United’s midfield and even further reinforcements are probable to be necessary in the summer season.
De Jong is a key player for Barcelona and they will be hesitant to let him go away this calendar year
The modern suspension to Casemiro (correct) and Christian Eriksen’s (left) injuries have remaining United small of midfield options
An damage to Eriksen pressured United into the mortgage sector last thirty day period to indication Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer – with the Austrian open to building that a long lasting move.
United are nevertheless combating on 4 fronts in a demanding fixture program that is stretching their squad.
They are 3rd in the Leading League desk as they force for a return to Champions League soccer subsequent time.
In addition, they will face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup closing at Wembley on February 26 and West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round on March 1.
Prior to that, they deal with LaLiga leaders Barcelona away and then household in the Europa League on consecutive Thursdays.
Previously this month, Barca president Joan Laporta insisted the club does not have to have to sell stars like De Jong despite promising to slash their wage bill by £150million.
