New Barcelona boss Hansi Flick says Frenkie De Jong is ‘untouchable’ amid links to Manchester United.
The 27-year-old has been a long-term target for United with Erik ten Hag believed to be an admirer of the player from his time at Ajax. The Reds were embroiled in a lengthy and ultimately pointless back-and-forth with Barca as they attempted to sign the Dutchman after Ten Hag’s appointment.
However, De Jong expressed on several occasions his desire to remain at Barcelona. Instead, Casemiro was brought in but has had a disappointing spell across the two years at Old Trafford.
Flick, who will have a number of decisions to make this summer after penning a two-year deal at the Camp Nou, seems to have already made his stance clear over De Jong. According to local journalist Roger Torello, he described the midfielder as an ‘untouchable’ player, suggesting he has no intention to part ways with the midfielder.
When asked about his future following the arrival of Flick, De Jong told Mundo Deportivo: “Staying at Barca? Yes, I’m very happy in Barcelona with my family, for sure. Hansi Flick wants me to be key? I talked to him, it was good. After the European Championship we will see how he is doing.”
Barca president Joan Laporta has also insisted that de Jong is ‘delighted’ at the club and does not want to leave despite interest from elsewhere. “The last thing he would want would be to leave Barcelona,” the 61-year-old confirmed. “He has told me more than once, that he is delighted here.
