Barcelona manager Xavi has sparked fresh rumours over the future of midfielder Frenkie de Jong by admitting that he ‘doesn’t know’ whether or not the player will be at the club next term.
The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United all summer, and Chelsea have also emerged as potential suitors in recent weeks.
Recent reports had suggested that the Red Devils would struggle to complete a deal though, as the player had no interested in a move to Old Trafford.
Now, though, Xavi has fuelled speculation linking the midfielder with an exit from the Nou Camp.
As reported by Metro, the ex-Spain international admitted that he isn’t sure about De Jong’s future.
“I don’t know if he’s going to stay, there’s still time and a lot of things can still happen,” he said in the wake of his side’s 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls.
“At the moment he’s part of the team, like everyone else.”
It had also been reported that De Jong being used as a central defender, as he had in previous pre-season fixtures, was Xavi’s way of sending a message to the player, something that he denied.
“The fact that he played as a central defender in the other games was not a sign that he was leaving.
“I don’t need to send signals on the pitch, I can speak directly with my footballers.”
Barcelona reportedly want to sell De Jong as they need to free up funds to register new signings Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, however the player himself is keen to stay put in Catalunya.
