Former Manchester United and Chelsea target Frankie De Jong sparked transfer rumors after joining London from Barcelona on Monday.
The 25-year-old has been on the hunt all summer after United made their first move of £73m late last month.
But de Jong has always been adamant that he wants to stay at Camp Nou, but any move is complicated by the fact that he still has £14m in salary arrears.
With negotiations between United and Barca deadlocked, Chelsea played their way to sign De Jong but faced similar difficulties and resistance from their players.
With the window looming over the next few days, it seemed almost certain that De Jong would remain in Catalunya this season, at least until he was spotted at Barcelona airport on Monday.
The Dutch footballer and his fiancee, Miki Kimenay, were seen on a Spanish television show Television The Chiringuito when they arrive at the airport to catch a private flight to London.
With Chelsea based in the capital and United also having offices in Mayfair, speculation abounds that de Jong could move to the Premier League.
However, it soon became clear that De Jong’s trip was for fun, not business, and his Barcelona teammate and close friend, Memphis Depay, was soon on board.
The former Manchester United winger arrived at the airport shortly after his compatriot and, like De Jong, refused to speak to the media but signed several autographs for Barca fans waiting at the entrance.
according to ESPNThe duo, along with the rest of the squad, had a few days off following Sunday’s 4-0 win over Valladolid, with De Jong opting to spend time in London.
Additional reports say he traveled to the British capital for the wedding of international teammate Donny van de Beek, who is to marry Esther Bergkamp, the daughter of Arsenal legend Dennis.
Onlookers noticed De Jong carrying the suit’s carry-on luggage as he entered the airport.
De Jong’s trip to London may be innocuous, but the timing is certainly interesting given the amount of speculation that has surrounded his future and the transfer window closing on Thursday.
However, as things stand, De Jong is expected to remain at the Camp Nou, his salary still pending and Barcelona able to sign all new contracts without letting the Dutch player go.
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Source: Metro
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