Frenkie de Jong hints at Barcelona frustration and explains Chelsea and Man Utd snub

Frenkie de Jong has hinted his relationship with Barcelona remains less than perfect but is adamant he never wanted to leave the club during a tumultuous summer that saw him linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Catalan giants, desperate to recoup some of the money they spent during an ambitious recruitment drive, effectively handed De Jong an ultimatum to leave or take a major pay cut.

United, managed by De Jong’s former mentor at Ajax, Erik ten Hag, tabled a £72million bid for the 25-year-old but De Jong was reluctant to move to Old Trafford on account of their absence from the Champions League.

Chelsea, meanwhile, sensed an opportunity themselves but were unable to convince the Netherlands international to commit himself to Todd Boehly’s rebuilding project at Stamford Bridge.

Ultimately, De Jong ended up staying at Barcelona and although he has featured regularly this season, he is not a guaranteed starter in Xavi’s side and admitted he is far from satisfied with playing a bit-part role.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Nations League game against Poland, he said: ‘I played 8 games this season from which I started four games.

‘In the biggest game, against Bayern Munich, I came on as a sub but I want to play from the beginning. I just have to make sure that I recover my starting spot.’

At the height of the speculation over his future, Barcelona effectively led a smear campaign against De Jong following his refusal to take a pay cut which led to his own fans booing him.

Asked if his relationship with Barcelona’s hierarchy had been resolved, De Jong said pointedly: ‘Between me and my teammates nothing has changed.’

Pushed on whether he ever considered moving to the Premier League, meanwhile, he added: ‘I already