Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has insisted that he cannot control speculation over Frenkie de Jong's future amid continued rumours of the Dutchman's possible exit.
De Jong is yet to extend his deal at Camp Nou beyond the summer of 2026, and it has been reported in recent weeks that Liverpool are considering a shock approach ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Barcelona will have a huge decision to make on De Jong's future if no new deal can be struck with his entourage, as a sale next year would be their best chance of recouping a good chunk of the £70.8m that they paid for his services in 2019.
The 27-year-old was also memorably at the centre of a lengthy transfer tussle between Barcelona and Manchester United in the summer of 2022, when then-head coach Erik ten Hag pushed relentlessly to reunite with his former Amsterdam protege.
The Red Devils were said to have struck an agreement with Barca over a transfer fee, but De Jong had no interest in making the move to Old Trafford and has since reaffirmed his commitment to Barcelona on several occasions.
Flick hails De Jong's importance to Barcelona amid Liverpool rumours
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Flick has shared a similar sentiment, telling reporters before Wednesday's Champions League triumph over Borussia Dortmund that De Jong remains vital to his plans despite the outside noise.
"For me he [De Jong] is a very important player. That is my opinion and I cannot control what comes from outside. He is a great professional and gives his all in training. For us he is an important player," Flick said.
De Jong is yet to get going this season, having missed the first chunk of the campaign through a serious ankle injury and playing just 13 times in all competitions since making his recovery.
The 27-year-old has come up with one goal and one assist in that time, but he has only made the starting lineup on two occasions, once in the Champions League and once in La Liga.
Marc Casado and Pedri are both ahead of De Jong in the pecking order at present, and De Jong played just 19 minutes as a substitute in the midweek triumph over Dortmund.
Should Liverpool pursue a move for De Jong?
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While Man United languish in the bottom half of the Premier League table, they can surely forget about luring De Jong away from Camp Nou, and their interest may dwindle now that Ten Hag is not at the helm anyway.
It is no real surprise to see Liverpool's name being thrown about due to the Dutch connection between De Jong and Reds boss Arne Slot, whose side will almost certainly be able to offer the Barcelona man Champions League football next year.
Both Wataru Endo and Tyler Morton could move on next year, opening up a space for De Jong in the Liverpool squad, but the former Ajax starlet could struggle for regular starts over Alexis Mac Allister or the revitalised Ryan Gravenberch.
The Reds may decide that other areas are more of a priority following their engine room rebuild, though, as a new centre-back should be sought if Joe Gomez, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams leave next year.
Slot could also be facing a striker conundrum, as Darwin Nunez has recently come in for renewed criticism amid his profligate streak.
Ben Knapton
