Transfer Centre

Frenkie de Jong rules out Barcelona exit

By Ben Sully | 20 November 2022

Frenkie de Jong insists that he has no intention of leaving Barcelona, but criticises the board for allegedly leaking his contract details over the summer.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong insists that he has no intention of leaving the club.

The Dutchman was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer transfer window, while Chelsea were also believed to be interested.

However, after no transfer materialised, De Jong remained at Camp Nou, and he claims that he has no plans to leave Barcelona in the near future.

He told De Telegraaf: "I am very happy in Barcelona. When I play it's great and in terms of living here life is perfect. I see myself in Barcelona for as long as possible. I personally hope for another eight or 10 years."

Despite being keen to remain a Barcelona player, De Jong went on to criticise the club's board for allegedly leaking details of his contract over the summer.

There were reports that the 25-year-old was the highest earner at Barcelona, and that the Catalan giants were looking to agree a pay cut, while there were also questions over the validity of his deal.

De Jong added: "One day a paper published details from my contract. I didn't leak it and only one other party knew about this, so it had to be the club who did this.

"Suddenly there was a letter in which the question was asked whether my contract was still valid because the previous president made the contract.

"I found it very annoying that the club did this, but I had no further influence on things. I blame these people [those at Barca who wanted him out], but I have nothing to do with them.

"Yes, they are Barca for me because they lead the club. But I don't see them when I'm at the club. I have nothing to do with them in my daily life."

Further details also emerged during the summer that the midfielder was owed €17m (£14.8m) from Barcelona in deferred wages.

De Jong is currently at the World Cup and he is expected to feature in the Netherlands' opening game against Senegal on Monday.