Xavi wants exit-linked Barcelona heavyweight to stay if he continues as manager

As we get closer to the summer transfer window, speculations about the future of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong have begun to surface once again.

The Catalans need to generate around €100 million before June 30 and player sales are being seen as the main source of revenue, with De Jong being seen as a strong candidate to be sold.

Bayern Munich, for one, are understood to have taken a keen interest in the Dutchman while long-term suitors Manchester United and PSG also remain in the fray.

Xavi wants De Jong to stay

However, according to the latest update from SPORT, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez wants Frenkie de Jong to stay at the club if he opts to continue as the head coach beyond this season.

Xavi had announced his decision to leave at the end of the season in January. However, a U-turn now appears to be on the cards, with a meeting set to take place between him and the club hierarchy this week.

Xavi wants De Jong to continue at Barcelona. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Despite the club’s attempts to sell him in 2022, De Jong remained firm and opted to continue and is still not keen on leaving. In fact, he has grown into a key cog in the project that Xavi has built.

As such, the manager, if he decides to stay beyond this season, wants the Netherlands international to remain at the club as well.

Barcelona could sell if new contract is not agreed

As far as Barcelona are concerned, there is a division of opinion when it comes to De Jong and his continuity, largely due to his contract and wages.

While De Jong is not the highest earner at Barcelona, the fact that he is still owed the deferred salary from the Covid-19 period sees his wages shoot up greatly for the next two seasons.

With his contract expiring in 2026, sporting director Deco has indicated that they want to renew De Jong’s deal and preliminary talks with his agents have also been held.

However, it must be noted that the renewal is likely to be on a lower salary than what he currently earns. And if there is no progress in negotiations, a sale is not entirely ruled out.