Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has reportedly told the Catalans that he wants to stay at the club amid links with a switch to Manchester United.
Since arriving at Camp Nou from Ajax in the summer of 2019, De Jong has cemented his place as a regular starter for the La Liga giants under Ronald Koeman and Xavi.
The Netherlands international has racked up 139 appearances for the club so far - scoring 13 goals and setting up 17 more - and he has won one Copa del Rey in Catalonia.
De Jong's 2021-22 season has seen him amass four goals and five assists from 46 games in all tournaments, and he has made the starting lineup 29 times in La Liga.
However, the 25-year-old's future has been called into question in recent weeks, with Man United believed to have identified him as an ideal summer transfer target.
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De Jong's former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag - who oversaw his development and helped him to the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League - will take charge at Old Trafford this summer.
Now, The Mirror claims that De Jong has instead informed the powers-that-be of his desire to stay at Barcelona after holding fresh talks with manager Xavi.
The duo allegedly clashed after De Jong was brought off on the hour mark against Rayo Vallecano last month before patching things up, and Xavi admitted in those talks that he was keen for the Netherlands star to stay on.
A recent report had claimed that Xavi had given the green light for De Jong to join the Red Devils before claiming that the Dutchman could become a "legend" at Barcelona if he stays.
"I haven't talked with him about his future. He is playing at a very good level and has to continue here – he can be one of the best midfielders in the world for years to come," Xavi told reporters.
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"If it were up to me, I would continue here for many more years. He is very important and can mark an era here. He has to score, assist and he has to be the protagonist.
"He's an important player for me, and he started every game except for a few due to rotations. But it depends on the economic situation. For me, Frenkie could be one of the club legends."
Furthermore, Man United would supposedly have to battle bitter rivals and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City for De Jong's signature if the ex-Ajax man did end up parting ways with Barcelona, but his contract at Camp Nou does not expire for another four years.
With Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all set to leave the club this summer, Man United will be expected to sign at least one new midfielder in the summer window.
Chelsea's N'Golo Kante has reportedly emerged as an ideal alternative to De Jong for Man United, but the Blues are thought to be preparing an offer of a new contract for the Frenchman.
Ben Knapton
