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Barcelona will reportedly leave midfielder Frenkie de Jong out of their pre-season tour of the United States if he refuses to depart this summer.
De Jong, who has a contract at the Blaugrana until 2026, has been heavily linked with Manchester United this summer. As per The Athletic, the Red Devils have reached an agreement with the Blaugrana for De Jong in a deal worth €85 million. However, the player is yet to finalize personal terms with the Premier League giants.
The 25-year-old is reportedly reluctant to depart the Blaugrana before he receives his deferred wages worth €17 million.
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According to SPORT, Barcelona have informed De Jong that he needs to secure a summer move to the Red Devils to help balance the club's books. The report also added that the midfielder will be dropped from the club's pre-season squad if he continues to stand his ground.
Barcelona are hoping to use De Jong's potential transfer fee to register new signings like Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen. The Blaugrana are also aiming to offload Memphis Depay for around €25 million to complete the signings of Raphinha and free agent Ousmane Dembele.
De Jong, who arrived in Spain from Ajax for €101 million in the summer of 2019, has helped the Blaugrana lift the Copa del Rey in the 2020-21 season. Overall, he has featured in 140 games for the La Liga giants across competitions, registering 13 goals and 17 assists.
Meanwhile, the Xavi Hernandez-managed side opened their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Spanish fifth-division side UE Olot in a domestic friendly on July 13. The Blaugrana will next face Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Juventus and the New York Red Bulls in the United States.
Barcelona agree personal terms with Jules Kounde
According to Gerard Romero, the Blaugrana have agreed personal terms with Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde. They are interested in including either forward Memphis Depay or right-back Sergino Dest in a potential deal for the defender. However, the duo's high wages can be a hindrance.
Kounde, who has two years left on his current deal, featured in 44 games for Sevilla across competitions last season, helping them register 19 clean sheets.
As per the Daily Mail, Barcelona are leading the race to sign the France international. However, Manchester City are monitoring his situation as a potential replacement for Nathan Ake.
