Barcelona boss, Xavi, is reportedly set to tell Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay that it would be in their best interest to leave the club this summer.
De Jong has been at the centre of heavy speculation about his future, with Manchester United having chased the midfielder for months and agreeing a deal worth up to €85 million for the Netherlands international.
Publicly, De Jong’s stance is that he has no intention of leaving the Nou Camp, though United are believed to have received assurances over De Jong’s willingness to move to Old Trafford, but only once he has an agreement over the salary he is owed.
The 25-year-old – who is also interesting Chelsea – is owed £17m in deferred wages after he accepted a massive salary reduction to help the club through the Covid pandemic, and its understandble that he wouldn’t want to leave without a significant portion of it.
De Jong is known to be happy at the Catalan club, where he has remained an integral part of the side, though has often been deployed in a more advanced role given the presence of Sergio Busquets.
However, according to publication, Sport, Barcelona boss Xavi is set to sit down with the Dutchman in a bid to convince him that a departure would be ‘best for all parties’, with De Jong having been deployed out-of-position in defence in their recent pre-season friendly against Inter Miami.
Xavi is also set to have a similar conversation with De Jong’s compatriot, Memphis Depay, whose minutes could be restricted following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski this summer.
Depay only arrived at the Camp Nou last summer on a free transfer from Lyon, and has been linked with a potential return to the Premier League with Spurs having been linked in recent weeks.
Manchester United have also been linked with re-signing their former number 7, with journalist Gerard Romero stating this week that the forward would be open to a return to Old Trafford after his first spell at the club ended in disappointment.
Erik ten Hag has admitted that it is ‘vital’ that the club add a forward to their ranks this summer, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
