Barcelona outline Frenkie de Jong transfer stance amid Manchester United link

Barcelona manager Xavi wants Frenkie de Jong to stay at the Nou Camp amid suggestions Manchester United will look to reunite him with Erik ten Hag this summer. De Jong signed for the Spanish club in 2019 after forging his way under Dutch compatriot Ten Hag as part of an all-action Ajax team.

Speculation over the Netherlands midfielder has gathered pace before the upcoming window. Meanwhile, Ten Hag is gearing up to become United manager after his appointment was confirmed on Thursday morning.

United are set to prioritise central midfield signings when the market reopens. Despite their interest in the West Ham captain Declan Rice - who remains a target - the Manchester Evening News understands United have started to draw up the framework for a deal involving his England teammate Kalvin Phillips.

READ MORE: Paul Pogba is the Manchester United transfer Erik ten Hag must avoid

Given the need to strengthen in that particular area, those two are not the only names on the radar as Sport claim De Jong has been eyed up for a Ten Hag reunion. The report suggests Ten Hag will be given £250million to spend in the summer and De Jong would cost around £72million.

However, that would-be switch and other interest has been rebuffed by his Barcelona manager. De Jong has made 27 appearances in La Liga this season and, according to Xavi, his future lies at the Nou Camp.

The Catalan favourite said: "Frenkie is a very important player for me and for the club. I'm happy with him. If it were up to me he will continue for many years at Barcelona."

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