Frenkie de Jong has played down suggestions of a rift with Barcelona boss Xavi amid links with Manchester United.
The midfielder is being touted as a possible option for United during the summer transfer window. With De Jong’s former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag taking over at Old Trafford in the summer, it would give the 24-year-old the opportunity to link up with the manager under whom he enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season.
Midfield is set to be a priority area for Ten Hag once he gets his feet under the table at United. With Nemanja Matic leaving, and Paul Pogba among those set for an exit as his contract expires, United will be short of options in a position that needed strengthening even before the departures.
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De Jong has been linked with a move to United for some time now. The midfielder’s name regularly cropped up during the January window, although a move never materialised.
With Ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford imminent now though, talk of a De Jong reunion has intensified in recent weeks. The rumours have also led to suggestions that De Jong may be unhappy with life at the Nou Camp.
The Netherlands international revealed he had a face-to-face meeting with Xavi having been left angry by being hauled off after just an hour during the recent defeat to Rayo Vallecano. Speaking after the win over Mallorca on Sunday though, the midfielder dismissed suggestions of a rift.
"The conversation was good," De Jong told Movistar. "The coach told me he has confidence in me and I'm confident as well. Everyone happy. Pressure is always good, it's never too much."
De Jong is under contract at Barcelona until 2026, having joined the Catalan giants back in 2019. With Ten Hag just weeks away from arriving at United, the 24-year-old’s name is likely to feature a lot during the upcoming window.
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