Manager speaks out on future of midfielder linked as Man United transfer target

Barcelona manager Xavi has played down transfer rumours about Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong potentially leaving the club this summer amid links with the likes of Manchester United.

The Netherlands international clearly remains a key player for Barca boss Xavi, who will now be staying on as manager of the Catalan giants for next season, despite previously announcing that he’d decided to step down at the end of this current campaign.

It seems, therefore, that if Xavi has anything to do with it, De Jong won’t be going anywhere this summer, despite El Nacional recently linking him with Man Utd, while Todo Fichajes have also suggested he can leave for around €70million as the club look to get his high salary off their wage bill.

See below as Fabrizio Romano quotes Xavi’s latest update on De Jong’s future, with the Spanish tactician seeming to make it very clear that this rumoured Red Devils target is not someone who’s going to be available…

United could have done with a midfield signing like this to replace the struggling Casemiro, but it seems they’ll have to look elsewhere for a new signing in that area of the pitch.

De Jong transfer: Barcelona midfielder remains important to Xavi

De Jong may be just the kind of player Erik ten Hag would do well to have with him at United, as the pair worked well together at Ajax a few years ago, but it also makes sense that the 26-year-old is viewed as someone integral to how Xavi wants his Barca side to play.

Despite some problems with injuries, De Jong has generally looked like a quality performer during his time at Barcelona, and like someone who perfectly embodies the club’s DNA.

MUFC need a major rebuilding job this summer after such a difficult season, but from what Xavi is saying, it