Xavi admits he is unsure if Frenkie de Jong will stay or go | OneFootball

Barcelona coach Xavi has admitted he doesn’t know whether Frenkie de Jong will still be at the club by the time the summer transfer window closes but is hoping that the Dutchman stays.

De Jong has been pursued for the last few months by Manchester United, with Chelsea also progressing in talks for the former Ajax star more recently.

United have agreed an €85m deal with Barcelona but encountered a significant setback over an estimated €20m still owed to De Jong by the Catalan giants in deferred wages.

United had considered contributing to paying off that sum in order to push things through, before Chelsea then came on the scene.

Barcelona are looking to sell to raise funds and space on the wage bill that will allow them to register the new signings that have come in this summer. De Jong himself remains happy and settled in Spain.

“I don't know what will happen to Frenkie de Jong. Until August 31 anything can happen…” Xaxi said about the ongoing saga. “He knows what I think and what the club want and need. Of course I'm counting on him, he's a great player.”

Club president Joan Laporta attempted to be somewhat more positive about De Jong's future, adding: "Frenkie is our player and we want him to stay at Barcelona, he wants to stay too.

"With him and his teammates, we have a very powerful midfield. He has offers, but we want him to stay."

De Jong, who made 45 appearances last season but it is arguably Barcelona’s most saleable asset, was bizarrely used at centre-back for some of pre-season. The club will get their La Liga season underway next Saturday when Rayo Vallecano visit Camp Nou.