Xavi and Joan Laporta comment on Frenkie de Jong’s Barcelona future

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Xavi and Joan Laporta have commented on Frenkie de Jong‘s Barcelona future amid Manchester United’s pursuit of the midfielder.

Club president Laporta has confirmed what everybody already knew that the Catalan giants have received offers for the Netherlands international.

It’s no secret that Erik ten Hag is keen to reunite with his former Ajax charge at Old Trafford this summer, but the Reds pursuit of the ball-playing technician is rapidly turning into one of the sagas of the transfer window.

Financial difficulties at the Nou Camp have resulted in the 25-year-old being viewed as one of the club’s most valuable assets that could be sold for big money to help Xavi sign and register new superstar signings like Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.

Fabrizio Romano reported a week ago that United and Barcelona are in full agreement over De Jong, but the player is resisting a move.

The Telegraph report that another reason for the hold-up is because De Jong is owed £17 million in wages and will not leave without being paid what he is owed, the saga is showing no signs of reaching an immediate solution.

Xavi and Joan Laporta comment on Frenkie de Jong’s Barcelona future

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Barcelona’s number 21 is currently part of the club’s pre-season tour in America.

With the transfer window closing in 39 days time, nobody is any clearer to knowing who De Jong’s employers will be come 2 September.

While De Jong continues to a resist a move away, Laporta claims that Barcelona still want to keep their £65m signing.

“Frenkie is our player, we really like him,” Laporta has told ESPN when asked for an update on the 25-year-old’s future.

“We received some offers for Frenkie but we didn’t accept as of now, as we want to talk with him and know exactly what he wants. We need to clarify some aspects of his situation.”

De Jong has made 140 appearances for Barcelona since joining from the Amsterdam giants three years ago, but in his two pre-season substitute appearances so far, Xavi has deployed him at centre-back.

Blaugrana boss Xavi has plenty of alternative midfield options available to him, including exciting talents Pedri and Gavi, as well as Sergio Busquets and Franck Kessie.

But given Xavi’s latest comments on Ten Hag’s primary target, playing at centre-back may become the norm if he does stay at the club.

Speaking to AS, Barcelona’s former captain said: “I don’t send messages. I’ve talked to him. I value him very much. For me he is a fundamental footballer, but then there is the economic situation and fair play.

“[He] can give us a lot as a [centre-back]. I like him in that position.”

Judging by Laporta’s comments, it seems more talks are going to be held with Barcelona and De Jong in a bid to solve the impasse.

But as well as reducing his wages, another caveat could well be that he plays at centre-back.

Ten Hag is no closer to landing his number one target and depending on how the latest round of talks between Barca and De Jong’s representatives go, Manchester United may have to switch their attentions elsewhere as the window continues to tick on.