Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong spoke out in a detailed interview this summer to clarify the noise around his situation, especially given all that has been questioned about his commitment to the club.
Hansi Flick himself is said to be furious at the player for pushing himself through injury at the FIFA World Cup – a decision that has cost the player a significant part of the new club season which he must now sit out.
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Further, the Catalans went on to sign Rodri, likely as a direct response to De Jong’s injury, and the player’s future at the club has been called into doubt.
While a move during his injury is complicated, there were some links with a transfer to Manchester City.
Old interest that will not resurface
As confirmed by SPORT in a recent update, Manchester City were indeed interested in signing the Dutchman this summer and saw him as a real option. That was, however, during the World Cup and the immediate period that followed.
Enzo Maresca saw De Jong as a key target. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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The Barcelona captain’s injury, however, changed their plans and halted the process of his transfer – forcing them to turn to alternative targets.
Instead, Manchester City thus pushed for and signed Elliot Anderson on a record fee and have now closed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi. At this point, De Jong is firmly out of their wish-list.
Set to stay in Catalonia
The Spanish outlet also confirms that De Jong himself has not wished for a move away from Barcelona and only wants to stay.
De Jong will remain at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Given his clear desire and the injury which makes a departure complicated, all signs point to De Jong staying at Barcelona this summer.
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There is thus a very low possibility of the player leaving in the next week and he must continue to be focused on his recovery to come back stronger and earn his place back.
In Pedri, Rodri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and youngsters like Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, Barcelona are stacked in midfield and anything but dependent on the Dutchman.
Winning his place back, thus, will not be simple and it remains to be seen when the player can indeed make it back to training.
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