Frenkie de Jong has revealed he was urged to "join Liverpool " within days of touching down in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
The Dutch midfielder is set to be a key player for his country as Netherlands bid to win their first ever World Cup, starting with their opening Group A match against Senegal on Monday. But while De Jong is at the forefront of manager Louis van Gaal's plans on the international stage, the same cannot be said for his club football.
The 25-year-old remains on the periphery of Barcelona's starting lineup, with boss Xavi continuing to prefer other options in central midfield. De Jong came close to leaving the Nou Camp in the summer, but stuck to his guns to reject a move - yet now has fans pleading with him to complete a switch to Anfield.
De Jong and his Netherlands team-mates met on Thursday with migrant workers who have helped build the infrastructure and facilities for the World Cup in Qatar, including the stadiums. And one of the workers took his opportunity to show his true colours, by making a cheeky demand of the Barcelona man.
"It was special for them (migrant workers), but also for us," De Jong told Dutch outlet AD.NL (via Liverpool Echo ). "It gives us energy and joy.
"A lot of people came and there was no time to have a personal conversation. One guy told me I had to join Liverpool! We loved doing this, but now the focus goes to Senegal."
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De Jong's future has been up in the air for months after Barcelona tried forcing the midfield maestro out of the club in the off-season. Barca were keen to get the youngster off their wage bill and were prepared to offload him, with Manchester United and Chelsea both holding talks over a transfer.
However, De Jong is still owed a large sum in deferred wages, in the region of £15million, and was adamant he wanted to stay at Barcelona. While he has remained in Spain, De Jong has only managed to make 13 appearances so far this season with his position in Xavi's plans going forward still unclear.
Liverpool are in need of midfield reinforcements and were credited by ESPN as having an interest in signing De Jong. The Reds are reported to have made contact with De Jong's representatives over a potential deal, though would have to stump up a significant fee to prise him away.
United and Chelsea had both agreed deals in principle with Barcelona worth an initial £63m over the summer, prior to De Jong making it clear he had no intention of leaving. The impending departure of Barca captain Sergio Busquets at the end of the season could be playing some part in De Jong's thinking as he looks to hold down a regular starting berth.
Xavi is reportedly still interested in bringing in a direct replacement for Busquets, though, which could sway De Jong into weighing up a move elsewhere - with the prospect of lining up alongside international team-mate Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool an attractive option.
