Barcelona boss Xavi has responded to the rumours linked Frenkie de Jong with Manchester United, insisting he wants the midfielder to remain at the Nou Camp “for many more years”.
Incoming United boss Erik ten Hag is thought to be keen to reunite with De Jong this summer.
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The pair worked together at Ajax before De Jong moved to Barcelona in July 2019 for £77m, with the 24-year-old a vital part of the team that won the Dutch double in 2018-19 and also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
A report on Friday claimed Ten Hag has named De Jong as one of his ‘priority targets’ to bring to Old Trafford as part of a transfer kitty of ‘more than €250m’.
Barcelona don’t want to sell De Jong, and the player is ‘comfortable’ with the Catalans, but it’s thought the club will have to move at least one of their prized assets on balance the books this season.
It’s thought that a midfielder leaving ‘would be the least detrimental’, and a suitable United bid for De Jong ‘could change the scenario’.
Asked about De Jong’s future and links with United ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, Xavi said the Dutch star can “mark an era” with the La Liga side.
“I haven’t talked with him about his future,” admitted the Barcelona boss.
“He is playing at a very good level and has to continue here – he can be one of the best midfielders in the world for years to come. If it were up to me, I would continue here for many more years. He is very important and can mark an era here. He has to score, assist and he has to be the protagonist.”
The midfielder struggled initially under Xavi but has become more prominent under the Spaniard in recent weeks.
Ten Hag has in the past criticised Barcelona for not making the best use of De Jong, claiming: “With them you can go much further in a competition like the Champions League because they are…
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