Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez appears to have had a change of heart on midfielder Frenkie de Jong's role in the team amid ongoing transfer interest from Manchester United.
De Jong played as a 'pivot' at the base of Barca's three-man midfield in their three-goal win over Villarreal on Thursday, stepping in for Sergio Busquets in the role. It comes after United's summer-long pursuit of the Dutchman, which ultimately failed despite the club making a breakthrough in the deal.
The future of the midfielder was also thought to be linked to that of Busquets, who is tipped to leave the club at the end of the campaign when his contract at the Camp Nou expires. However, Catalan outlet Sport report that Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves - who has also been on United's radar - is their number one target for the position.
