Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong addressed the rumors surrounding his commitment to the club in a detailed interview this summer. The Dutch midfielder faces scrutiny after a FIFA World Cup injury that has sidelined him for a significant portion of the new club season, which has left Hansi Flick, the national team coach, reportedly furious over De Jong’s decision to play through pain.

In response to De Jong’s injury, Barcelona signed Rodri, raising questions about the Dutch international’s future at the club. Although De Jong’s injury complicates any potential transfer, there were discussions linking him to a move to Manchester City.

Previous Interest from City No Longer Active

According to a recent update from SPORT, Manchester City did express interest in acquiring De Jong during the summer, viewing him as a viable candidate at the time. However, his injury has altered those plans, forcing City to seek alternative targets.

Enzo Maresca identified De Jong as a crucial target, but the injury ultimately stopped any further developments on the transfer front for City. The Premier League team opted instead to recruit Elliot Anderson for a record fee and have signed Ayyoub Bouaddi.

De Jong Intends to Stay with Barcelona

The report confirms De Jong’s intention to remain at Barcelona, as he desires to continue his career with the club. Given his recovery and current injury situation, a transfer appears unlikely at this time.

De Jong is expected to stay in Catalonia for the foreseeable future. His focus remains on recovering from injury to regain his spot in the team.

With players like Pedri, Rodri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, and promising talents such as Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart available, Barcelona has a strong midfield lineup. Thus, De Jong will face a challenging task to reclaim his position once fully fit.

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong spoke out in a detailed interview this summer to clarify the noise around his situation, especially given all that has been questioned about his commitment to the club.

Hansi Flick himself is said to be furious at the player for pushing himself through injury at the FIFA World Cup – a decision that has cost the player a significant part of the new club season which he must now sit out.

Advertisement

Further, the Catalans went on to sign Rodri, likely as a direct response to De Jong’s injury, and the player’s future at the club has been called into doubt.

While a move during his injury is complicated, there were some links with a transfer to Manchester City.

Old interest that will not resurface

As confirmed by SPORT in a recent update, Manchester City were indeed interested in signing the Dutchman this summer and saw him as a real option. That was, however, during the World Cup and the immediate period that followed.

Enzo Maresca saw De Jong as a key target. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Advertisement

The Barcelona captain’s injury, however, changed their plans and halted the process of his transfer – forcing them to turn to alternative targets.

Instead, Manchester City thus pushed for and signed Elliot Anderson on a record fee and have now closed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi. At this point, De Jong is firmly out of their wish-list.

Set to stay in Catalonia

The Spanish outlet also confirms that De Jong himself has not wished for a move away from Barcelona and only wants to stay.

De Jong will remain at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Given his clear desire and the injury which makes a departure complicated, all signs point to De Jong staying at Barcelona this summer.

Advertisement

There is thus a very low possibility of the player leaving in the next week and he must continue to be focused on his recovery to come back stronger and earn his place back.

In Pedri, Rodri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and youngsters like Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, Barcelona are stacked in midfield and anything but dependent on the Dutchman.

Winning his place back, thus, will not be simple and it remains to be seen when the player can indeed make it back to training.