Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has issued an update on Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong, confirming that the midfielder’s future at the club remains unknown.
Xavi Gives Update on Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United Transfer Saga
Xavi on de Jong: “I don't know if he's going to stay here… I’ve never sent Frenkie a message. There's still time and a lot of things can still happen”. 🔵🔴 #FCB
“The fact that he played as a central defender in the other games was not a sign that he was leaving”. pic.twitter.com/KKgtkIa59L
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 31, 2022
Personal Terms Remain the Stalling Factor
United’s pursuit of De Jong has been going on for some time, but it has become a little stagnant of late. Personal terms have been the ongoing issue in talks, as the clubs agreed on a fee for the potential transfer on July 14.
De Jong is also reportedly owed around £17million from the wage deferral players agreed to take during the COVID pandemic in 2020.
Read more: Barcelona Complete Blockbuster Signing of Goal Machine
The 25-year-old intends to stay at Barcelona, with one factor in his decision being that United failed to qualify for the Champions League last season, meaning they will play a Europa League campaign in 2022/2023.
When the subject was broached to Xavi in an interview, he said: “I don’t know if he’s [De Jong] going to stay here…I’ve never sent Frenkie a message.
“There’s still a lot of time and things can happen.”
The fact that someone as close to the “amazing” midfielder as Xavi doesn’t know what’s going to happen should be an exciting update for fans, with many believing that this saga could turn into one like the Red Devils’ pursuit of Jadon Sancho and stretch across multiple years.
Change in Position Adds to Speculation
In recent pre-season fixtures for Barcelona, De Jong has been deployed at centre-back – despite his preferred position being in midfield. This led to speculation that the star would be leaving the Spanish giants this summer, given the manager’s choice to not utilise his best attributes as a creative midfielder.
Read more: Lionel Messi’s Barcelona Return Still on the Cards According to Xavi
However, Xavi addressed these rumours, saying: “The fact that he played as a central defender in the other games was not a sign that he was leaving.”
Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United: Now or Never?
Erik ten Hag‘s side are keen to not give up in their negotiations just yet, according to Fabrizio Romano, De Jong is their “plan A, B and C for their midfield.”
He added that whilst there were no updates, “United remain hopeful.”
Romano again confirmed De Jong’s decision, saying: “De Jong still has a desire to stay at Barcelona.”
Read more: Manchester United Target Gets £55million Price Tag
With the forthcoming Premier League and La Liga campaigns set to kick off in August, it’s really make or break for this ongoing saga at this point. If the Netherlands international remains a Barcelona player, Ten Hag will be entering the season with a considerable lack of depth in midfield, with just two central midfielders in his squad who have proven their worth in a United shirt.
