Barcelona midfielder does not want to leave Camp Nou amidst Premier League interest

Frenkie de Jong was one of the most talked-about prospects in the summer transfer window, with many expecting him to leave Camp Nou in favour of a move elsewhere.

Barça itself were determined to get rid of the midfielder, whose high salary was obstructing the club’s purchasing powers in the market. However, as we enter the halfway point of the campaign, a lot has changed since.

From being branded as a flop by Barcelona fans, de Jong has become one of the pillars of the club’s midfield unit and is rated highly by Xavi Hernandez, who is keen on keeping hold of the Dutchman in the years to come.

In the wake of rumours swirling around de Jong’s future, Fabrizio Romano has come up with an update on the player.

The Italian transfer expert suggests de Jong has no desire to quit Barcelona anytime soon. He was determined to remain at Camp Nou even in the summer. His desire to stay and prove himself remains, especially as he continues to play a key role in Xavi’s first-team plans.

De Jong has indeed been vital to Barcelona this season, having featured in 14 league matches. His role in anchoring the midfield has given additional freedom to the advanced playmakers such as Pedri and Gavi, while helping Sergio Busquets express himself more freely.

Meanwhile, it is also fair to point out that Busquets’ uncertain future at the club is also playing a key reason behind Barcelona’s supposed u-turn on de Jong.

Indeed, Romano claims the Catalans consider the Dutchman a valuable player not only in the current team but also for the years to come. The club are aware of the fact that Busquets may quit Camp Nou in the summer of 2023, potentially forcing Xavi to rely on the services of de Jong.

Even if Barça end up signing a new defensive midfielder, De Jong’s services and his versatility could be useful in making Barcelona much stronger in the middle of the park.