Manchester United offered clear Frenkie De Jong stance as Barcelona highlight transfer 'mistake'

Barcelona chief Deco says selling Frenkie de Jong would be "a mistake" - even if it was the only way to sign Kylian Mbappe.

Manchester United held extensive talks with the Spanish giants for De Jong in 2022 during Erik ten Hag’s maiden transfer window with an agreement in principle agreed. However, United ultimately pivoted to Real Madrid star Casemiro with Barcelona dragging their feet over a deal.

De Jong has always publicly insisted that he is satisfied at the Nou Camp albeit coyly admitted last month that the prospect of playing in a different league is appealing, stating: "I’m very satisfied at Barca. It's always difficult to say.... for now I feel good here."

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Barcelona are set to be restricted by La Liga finance rules again in the summer amid their ongoing debt problems. There is constant speculation that the club may need to sell off some of their star players in order to gain some manoeuvrability in the transfer market.

It means a move for Kylian Mbappe is likely out of the question with Real Madrid favourites to snap up the Frenchman amid reports the attacker has decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract this summer - though his wage demands may yet prove a problem for Real.

Deco says a move for Mbappe may make things worse at Barcelona anyway, and that losing De Jong and defender Ronaldo Araujo - both linked with a summer departure - would potentially be disastrous.

Speaking to Esport3, Barca's sporting director Deco said: “I don't know what will happen with Mbappe. It would be a