Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is not in agreement with Lionel Messi over the importance of Frenkie de Jong at the Camp Nou.
Xavi would rather have Manchester City star Bernardo Silva in his midfield ahead of the Dutch international and has communicated his preference for the Portuguese ace to the club. Barca are continuing to pursue a move for Silva, who City do not want to sell, but are aware that he would be a replacement for De Jong – both in sporting and economic terms – within their squad.
De Jong is the subject of a fresh approach from Manchester United while Barca's treatment of him – demanding he reduce his salary by half or leave the club – has been slammed as like the "mafia" by former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart. Ex Barca striker Gary Lineker has criticised the Blaugrana for treating the midfielder “like a piece of meat”.
