Barcelona sporting director Deco has insisted that the club have no plans to sell Frenkie de Jong during this summer's transfer window despite the speculation surrounding his future.
The Netherlands international has again been an important player for Xavi's side this season, making 26 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice.
De Jong has two years left to run on his deal at Camp Nou, but there is uncertainty surrounding his future at the club, with a number of clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, said to be interested in his services.
Barcelona's financial problems could lead to them making a big sale this summer, although Deco has said that the club are planning to keep all of their important players, including De Jong.
"The idea is not to sell anyone, on the contrary, to try to strengthen ourselves. We don't need many things, but we don't want to sell. We are counting on everyone," Deco told Catalunya Radio.
© Reuters
"Frenkie, Pedri, Gavi, [Ronald] Araujo are players for the present and the future. They have contracts and they have to stay for more years. We also have players of competitive age, we want to maintain the balance of the squad."
Deco also addressed De Jong's recent outburst, with the Dutchman slamming the "lies" surrounding his future.
"What we talk about with the agents we can't make public, I like to keep it internal. About Frenkie, he is human like us. If they say something that is not true, it is normal for him to get angry. He has every right to speak out," he added.
"I think he is happy. But I understand that they want to win, that's good, that's what we want. The profile of players we want for Barca is those who want to win, not those who want to play for the club. We want Frenkie to stay for more years.
© Reuters
"I can't answer about Frenkie's salary. I arrived this season. But nobody has told me that we can't pay his wages and we have to sell him."
De Jong was heavily linked with a move to Man United in the summer of 2022, but the midfielder ultimately turned down the chance to join the 20-time English champions.
The 26-year-old arrived at Camp Nou from Ajax in the summer of 2019, and he has represented his current side on 209 occasions, scoring 17 goals and registering 21 assists in the process.
De Jong was absent for an extended period earlier this season due to an ankle injury, but he has been a vital player for Barcelona in recent months and scored in the team's 4-0 win over Getafe last time out.
Matt Law
