Amidst the speculation linking Frenkie De Jong with a move to Tottenham, Sport reveal that the Barcelona heirarchy held a meeting with the midfielder’s representatives on Friday to clear the air.
It was almost two weeks ago that reports first emerged that Tottenham had informed Barca they would be willing to pay €60m (£51.3) for De Jong when the transfer window opens in June (Jijantes FC).
Just days later, some sources from Spain revealed that the Catalan giants are ready to offer a Netherlands international a new contract on substantially reduced terms (Sport).
It was asserted that if the midfielder refused the offer, the club would put him in the shop window, given the financial constraints that the Nou Camp hierarchy are now working under.
However, a few days ago, De Jong himself rejected these rumours, describing them as ‘fake’ and insisting that he is happy at Barcelona (Fabrizio Romano).
Barcelona hold a meeting to discuss Frenkie de Jong
Sport have now stated that amidst these circulating reports, the midfielder’s agent, Ali Dursun, met with Barca’s director of football, Deco, to discuss the player’s future.
The report says that the meeting was necessary ‘to calm things down’ and ensure that ‘a cordial relationship’ was not deteriorated.
According to the publication, the meeting lasted around an hour and a half and had a ‘positive tone and goodwill’ but there is no indication if it led to any progress regarding a new deal for the Dutchman.
Spurs Web Opinion
Based on the wording of this report, it sounds as if De Jong’s entourage are convinced it is Barca who leaked some stories to the press about Tottenham’s move in an effort to drum up some interest in the former Ajax star ahead of the summer transfer window.