Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez admits that Frenkie de Jong may be deployed as a central defender as he is unable to cement a regular starting role in midfield.
De Jong has started just four of Barca’s ten matches across La Liga and Champions League this season, finding himself behind Pedri, Gavi, Sergio Busquets and new signing Franck Kessie in the pecking order. It comes after Manchester United ’s summer-long pursuit of the Dutchman and despite the club making a breakthrough in the deal in the transfer window.
United boss Erik ten Hag coached De Jong at Ajax and held a phone call this summer to convince the player that he should join his project at Old Trafford. The Red Devils had an initial transfer fee agreed with Barca valued at £56.2million to sign the midfielder but no agreement could be struck.
Barcelona had been open to selling the player as he is the highest earner in their first-team squad and is also owed €17million in back payments through deferrals and amortisation. His status and earning rank is not ideal for a player who is far from a regular in the side’s strongest XI. However, the player was happy at the club and his life within the Catalan capital, and had no desire to leave.
It now appears that he may be deployed in defence due to an injury crisis which has ruled out Barca’s strongest defensive options Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo. De Jong fleetingly played in the position during the club’s pre-season, but it unfamiliar to him and suggests that his rotation within the team is likely to continue.
Xavi told a pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s La Liga clash against Celta Vigo: “Frenkie can play as a central defender – that is something that we tried in pre-season and it worked very well. He is a potent player, who is really fast. But we have other alternatives in that position as well.
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“We are very lucky that we have many multi skilled players who are capable of playing in different positions. But Frenkie is an option there.”
The future of De Jong was also thought to be linked into that of Busquets, who is tipped to leave the club at the end of the campaign when his contract at the Camp Nou expires. However, Catalan outlet Sport report that Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves - who has also been on United's radar - is their number one target for the position.
Barca retain an interest in signing Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, with a swap arrangement within their squad between Silva and De Jong suggested over summer – a move that ultimately did not come to pass. Barca boss Xavi Hernandez is a great admirer of the Portugal international and had wanted to add him to his ranks.
