Frenkie de Jong “wants to stay” at Barcelona despite interest from Manchester United, stated by the club’s president Joan Laporta.
The Premier League side undertakes a £63.5m deal for the Netherlands midfielder, 25, last month; however the move is yet to be settled.
De Jong came on at half-time and scored in Barcelona’s 6-0 friendly win over Pumas UNAM on Sunday.
“He is a Barca player of great quality and we want him to stay,” said Laporta.
“He has offers but we want him to stay and he wants to stay too.”
De Jong has been linked with a move to Chelsea, nevertheless is also a key target for new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, whose side lost 2-1 at home to Brighton on Sunday in his initial game in charge.
Reports have suggested Barcelona want De Jong to take a wage cut should he remain at the Nou Camp, amid the club’s financial troubles.
The club are currently involved in a disagreement with De Jong over emolument deferred by the Dutchman in the last two years which are now awaited to be paid.
Barcelona have significantly spent over £120m this summer on recent signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinhaand Jules Kounde, with Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessiearriving on free transfers.
At the same time, Chelsea’s Spain left-back Marcos Alonso is near close to joining the club.
Barcelona fetches money for transfers this summer by selling shares of their domestic television rights and in-house production company, Barca Studios.
Nonetheless, the club has unable to register the players with La Liga requesting that more money be raised.
Should Barcelona not register their upcoming new signings in time, they will not be available for their season opener at odds with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Lewandowski shines on debut
Four of Barcelona’s new arrivals were indulged during their 6-0 friendly win over Mexican side Pumas, with Lewandowkski dazzled on his debut.
The Poland striker, who joined from Bayern Munich for £42.6m last month, opened his account in the 3rd minute with a skilful finish from a tight angle, while also contributing two assists for Pedri.
Raphinha, who moved from Leeds this summer in a agreement worth up to £55m, was also in the starting line-up, while Kessie and Kounde came on as second-half substitutes.
Goals from Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and De Jong accomplished the scoring.
