Barcelona boss Xavi won’t rule out Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving before transfer deadline

Barcelona manager Xavi insists he is counting on both Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but has not ruled out both players leaving before the transfer window closes.

Manchester United have been chasing a deal to bring de Jong to Old Trafford throughout the summer with Erik ten Hag identifying him as his no1 midfield target.

Chelsea are also eager to sign the Netherlands international and believe the incentive of playing Champions League football this season can lure him to Stamford Bridge.

Aubameyang meanwhile has also emerged as a transfer target for the Blues, with Thomas Tuchel eager to add more firepower to his squad following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.

Both players have expressed a preference to remain at Barcelona this season despite Premier League interest. Xavi however has suggested exits are still possible in the coming weeks.

‘I am counting on him. I’m really delighted with him, he can help us,’ Xavi said of Aubameyang, speaking at a press conference on Friday.

‘Those I am not counting on already know, they know won’t play. Between now and 31 August, different things can happen, but I like Auba, he can help us.’

On de Jong, Xavi added: ‘It is the same as Auba, he is important for me. He’s in the squad and we will use him. I don’t know what will happen between now and 31 August, but not just with Frenkie or with Auba, with almost everyone in the squad.’

United have relentlessly chased de Jong all summer, agreeing a fee with Barcelona in the process, but the midfielder’s preference is to remain at the Camp Nou.

United have now begun looking at alternative options in midfield, opening talks to sign Adrien Rabiot from Juventus with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic another target.

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