Xavi says Frenkie de Jong is “happy” at Barcelona amid exit talk

Barcelona manager Xavi insists that Frenkie de Jong is “happy at the club” amid talk of a departure during this summer’s transfer window.

Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that Frenkie de Jong is “happy at the club” amid suggestions that the midfielder could leave during this summer’s transfer window.
The 26-year-old has again been a vital player for the La Liga champions this season, making 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring once in the process.

De Jong has two years left to run on his contract at Camp Nou, meanwhile, but there is again speculation surrounding his future amid Barcelona’s financial problems.

Manchester United are believed to be considering reigniting their interest this summer, with Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag remaining a huge admirer of the former Ajax youngster.

Tottenham Hotspur are also thought to have lodged a €60m (£51.2m) offer for the midfielder, but Barcelona are said to value him in the region of €99m (£85m).

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, Xavi insisted that the midfielder is “happy at the club” and called for the focus to remain on the rest of the season.

“Frenkie is a very important player and he is happy at the club. This is not the time to talk about this. There are four months of the season left and we are not talking about departures. We are thinking about La Liga and the Champions League,” Xavi told reporters.

“Frenkie had some good games and some not so good games, like the whole team. We have lacked consistency and regularity. We all have to take a step forward.”

Barcelona are currently third in the La Liga table, 10 points behind the leaders Real Madrid, while they will head to Napoli next week for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.

“Tomorrow we have an opponent that is one of the best prepared tactically. I think Celta deserve many more points than they have,” Xavi added when asked about Saturday’s opponents.

“Rafael Benitez is a great coach and the team is very clear about things. Away from home things are going better for us than at home.

“I think we concede too many goals and mistakes in defence and in pressing. It’s one of the key points where we don’t compete like last year. We are looking for solutions and [Andreas] Christensen is now playing as a pivot and there are four midfielders. We have to improve a lot in defence.”

Xavi will stand down as head coach at the end of the campaign, with the club’s legendary former midfielder announcing his decision after the 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal on January 27.

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