Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool suffer blow in pursuit of 2022 World Cup star

Premier League trio Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have suffered a blow in their pursuit of 2022 World Cup star Frenkie de Jong, with Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff making it clear that the midfielder is not for sale.

Manchester United were unsuccessful to sign the Netherlands international in the summer , while Liverpool and Chelsea are in the hunt for his signature as well.

With Cruyff insisting that Barcelona have no plans to sell De Jong, an interested club must trigger his release clause which stands at 400 million euros.

Barcelona put pressure on the Dutchman to leave the club in the summer but he refused to move.

In quotes relayed by Mirror UK, Cruyff said : "Frenkie de Jong is not for sale. He’s key player for us, so that time has passed. He’s here and he’s important for us."

 "At the end last summer after Fair Play discussions he stayed here and Frenkie is really loved at Barca."

Signed from Ajax Amsterdam in 2019, De Jong has 15g/19a in 157 appearances for Barcelona.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : onsoranje.nl