Barcelona rule out Frenkie de Jong sale in second Man United transfer blow after Cristiano Ronaldo exit demand

Manchester United have been dealt a huge double transfer blow as Barcelona ruled out selling Frenkie de Jong just hours after Cristiano Ronaldo made clear his desire to leave.

According to widespread reports, Ronaldo wants to be sold should a suitable offer be received this summer as he wants to continue playing in the Champions League.

Shortly after those reports surfaced, Barca president Joan Laporte told reporters in Spain that De Jong will not be sold and insisted that the player himself does not want to leave.

United have been in discussions with Barca over De Jong for weeks and in the last few days had reportedly come close to agreeing a fee for the midfielder. New manager Erik ten Hag has made De Jong his key transfer target in his first summer in charge.

"There are clubs that want him, not just United," Laporte said on Saturday. "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."