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Ernesto Valverde 'did not want Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona'

Valverde 'did not want De Jong at Barca'
© Reuters
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde was reportedly not responsible for signing Frenkie de Jong from Ajax earlier this year.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde was allegedly 'against' the signing of Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

During the early months of 2019, it was revealed that the Netherlands international had agreed a long-term deal at Camp Nou.

The former Ajax man has since gone on to make a total of 23 appearances for the Catalan giants, with all but two of those outings coming from the starting lineup.

However, De Telegraaf suggests that Valverde did not necessarily want to sign the 22-year-old, with the board at the Spanish giants instead pushing through the big-money addition.

The report also adds that it was De Jong who initially approached Barcelona regarding a potential transfer at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

There is a further claim that the player is frustrated with not being deployed in what he feels is his natural position by Valverde, instead being left to feel that he is 'playing with a handbrake on'.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Getafe331013104145-443
10Villarreal32119125155-442
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
13Sevilla32910134145-437
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria33111213267-3514


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