Frenkie de Jong has spent much of this season on the bench, leading to speculation that the former Manchester United transfer target could quit cash-strapped Barcelona in January
Frenkie de Jong has spent much of this season on the bench, leading to speculation that the former Manchester United transfer target could quit cash-strapped Barcelona in January Frenkie de Jong has spent much of this season on the bench, leading to speculation that the former Manchester United transfer target could quit cash-strapped Barcelona in January
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has revealed what it would take for him to leave the club – two-and-a-half years after snubbing Manchester United.
De Jong, 27, coldly rejected the Red Devils in the summer of 2022, with then-manager Erik ten Hag and football director John Murtough intent on signing him. United agreed a £56million fee with Barca and went on a summer-long charm offensive to try and convince the Netherlands international, but he didn’t want to leave the Camp Nou.
Since then, De Jong has won one La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup as well as become one of Barcelona’s vice-captains. The midfielder was a regular under former boss Xavi but had to wait until October to make his first appearance this season because of an ankle injury which forced him to miss Euro 2024 and new manager Hansi Flick’s honeymoon period.
Upon returning, De Jong has failed to find a place in Flick’s preferred line-up, last starting a match on November 10. That’s led to familiar speculation going into the January transfer window that cash-strapped Barca could once again look to sell him.
The 27-year-old has now addressed the talk around his future and denied claims that he only wants to end his career in Cataluya for off-field reasons. Speaking to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, De Jong explained: “People think I want to stay at Barcelona forever because life outside of football is so good here, and that’s good, but what happens on the pitch is always more important.
“If I felt like I couldn’t contribute enough, or if the team wasn’t competitive, I would leave.”
The former Ajax star, who played under Ten Hag for the Dutch giants, added: “When I signed for Barcelona, I didn’t imagine to win only a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup after four years. I expected at least double, so that disappoints me. Things happen on the road you can’t predict.”
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De Jong only has 18 months left on his current deal, so Barcelona will need to make a decision on his future in 2025. Flick insists that he values the Dutchman, saying last month: “For me, Frenkie is a very important player because of the way he behaves in training and in games.”
He’ll be hoping to get his chance in the starting line-up when Barca travel to face fourth-tier side UD Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on Saturday. Barcelona then head to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup, playing Athletic Bilbao in their semi-final. They return to La Liga action away to Getafe on Saturday, January 18.
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