De Jong reiterates desire to stay at Barça despite Man Utd interest

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has reiterated that his preference is to stay at Camp Nou amid incessant links with Manchester United. 

Reports earlier this summer suggested De Jong was close to signing for United with Barca open to selling the Dutch midfielder in order to raise funds to invest elsewhere. 

Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been linked with De Jong, but he says there is nothing in place for him to leave Barca. 

"Not that I know of in any case," he told ESPN Netherlands when asked if claims a deal had been agreed with United had any substance. "Either that or they must not have told me, but I don't think so." 

Pressed on the issue, he added: "What I'm saying is there is absolutely no agreement or anything official. At the moment there is no question at all.

"[But] I don't respond to rumours anymore. I feel good at Barcelona. I prefer to stay with Barca." 

De Jong, 25, joined Barca from Ajax for a fee of around €75 million in 2019. Two of his three seasons at the club have ended trophy-less, while the other one only ended with the Copa del Rey. 

During that time he has played under four managers, but despite the problems Barca have had, he says he remains committed to the club. 

"I have said it many times: Barcelona is my dream club," he said. "It has been from a young age. I have never regretted my decision [to come here] despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes than I've achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice." 

De Jong thinks that, under new coach Xavi Hernandez, Barca "can certainly do better next year than we did last season." 

In three full seasons in Catalonia, De Jong has made 140 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 13 goals.

He is currently back in his homeland preparing for UEFA Nations League games against Belgium, Poland and Wales (twice).