Frenkie de Jong appears likely to remain at Barcelona for this season, if the comments from club president Joan Laporta after their side’s 6-0 pre-season win against Pumas are to be believed.
De Jong scored the sixth goal in the rout, coming off the bench at half-time and finding the net in the 84th minute.
He has been one of the main names featured in transfer rumours this off-season, with Barcelona’s questionable finances making it seem like the club would have to part ways with the 25-year-old Dutch international to fund their sizeable moves for Leeds United winger Raphinha, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
However, having been outspoken about his desire to remain at Camp Nou, it now seems more likely he will not be sold during this transfer window, with Laporta saying before the match against Pumas that it is what both parties want.
“Frenkie is our player and we want him to stay at Barcelona,” he said. “He wants to stay, too.
“With him and his teammates, we have a very powerful midfield. He has offers, but we want him to stay.”
After the match, Xavi was less emphatic about De Jong’s future when interviewed by TV3, but insisted that he’s “counting on” the midfielder this season.
“I don’t know what will happen to Frenkie, as until August 31st anything can happen,” he said.
“He knows what I think, and what the club want and need. Of course I’m counting on him, he’s a great player.”
Barcelona will open their LaLiga campaign at home against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
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