Joan Laporta has revealed that Barcelona have 'no intention' of allowing Frenkie de Jong to leave the club this summer.
The Dutch midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer with Erik ten Hag keen on a reunion with the former Ajax star.
De Jong continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United
Laporta is playing down talks of an exit
Last week it emerged that the Red Devils have agreed an initial £56million fee for the Netherlands midfielder, with a possible £17m in add-ons.
However the latest reports have suggested that Chelsea are also considering a move for the 25-year-old.
With speculation likely to continue in the coming days and weeks, a lot will hinge on Barcelona's willingness to let the player go, something that Laporta has made very clear in his latest public statement.
He said: "There are clubs that want him, not just United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay.
"Frenkie is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world by all the experts. We are happy to have him.
"I'm going to do everything I can in my power so that Frenkie stays here, but there's also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted."
De Jong is said to be closing in on a switch to United
Ten Hag is having to be patient in his hopes of tying up the deal
Ten Hag has been keen to reunite with a number of his former Ajax players with Lisandro Martinez also on their list of names.
Antony is also a key target for United with talkSPORT's Alex Crook reporting in June that United were confident of landing both him and De Jong.
Crook said: "I think United are definitely in for Antony.
"His numbers for much of the season were decent, I think he missed the end of the campaign injured but he's obviously someone that Erik ten Hag knows well.
"There's been talk of a £40million bid going in for him, certainly my sources at United haven't distanced themselves from those rumours so I think Antony is a target.
Time will tell if Ten Hag and De Jong will be reunited
"In fact I've had a text from somebody else saying if he doesn't become a Manchester United player this summer I would be surprised.
"I think at the moment him and Frenkie De Jong look like two definite arrivals at Manchester United and are two players that Ten Hag clearly trusts and believes he can get the best out of."
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