Barca boss Xavi coy on the future of Man-Utd linked midfielder who is a ‘beast of a player’

Dan Butterfield
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong

Barcelona boss Xavi has done little to calm down the rumours that Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong could leave the club this summer.

Incoming United boss Erik Ten Hag worked with de Jong at Ajax and he has been heavily linked with a potential move to Old Trafford as part of the new managers rebuild.

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Manchester City have also been linked with the Dutchman and could make a move for him, especially with the expected departures of Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan.

However, with the links to Ten Hag, United could hold the upper hand in any potential transfer saga this summer.

Barca boss Xavi has lauded the midfielder’s ability but admitted it could come down to a financial decision on whether they choose to sell him.

The Spaniard said: “For me, he [Frenkie] is a beast of a player and I have told him that.

“He has the quality to mark an era here. I like him a lot, he’s such a capable player who can dominate games the way we play.

“But we will see what the club’s financial situation is. Again, we’re talking about money, which I don’t want to do, but that’s how it is.”

A player who could be on the way into Barcelona is Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski , who has refused a new deal with the German champions.

On the Polish striker, Xavi added: “He’s one of the options, one of the possibilities.

“There are negotiations, he has one year of his contract left… it won’t be easy.

“Laporta told me we’ll be able to reinforce the team, there’s confidence.”

Former Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand gave his seal of approvial on de Jong earlier this month, labelling him as the ideal first signing for de Jong.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Vibe with Five, the former defender said: “I’ve always thought he was a top player. I watched him closely in the Champions League semi-final year, I got to see a lot of him as part of the BT team.

“They’re saying Frenkie de Jong could be the first player to come in under Erik ten Hag and I would be saying ‘yes, great signing’.

“He’s not huge in terms of frame but he is quick with the ball, really good dribbler, can get out of tight situations, makes good decisions, good passer, his balance and dribbling ability are really good.

“[Man United] are a team who are looking for players who can control the ball and control the game and get the team functioning in terms of balance and possession, I think he would be a good addition.”

Barcelona Frenkie De Jong

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