Transfer Centre

Frenkie de Jong refuses to rule out future Barcelona exit

By Ben Sully | 02 January 2024

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong leaves the door open to a possible departure despite insisting that he is currently happy at the club.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has left the door ajar for a potential move away in the future.

De Jong was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2022 after being identified as a target by his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

Despite being pursued by the 20-time English champions, De Jong showed a reluctance to leave the Catalan giants and ultimately stayed put.

The Dutchman went on to help Barcelona enjoy a successful 2022-23 campaign, where they lifted the La Liga trophy as well as the Spanish Super Cup.

Having spent the last four years with Barcelona, the Netherlands international has insisted that he is still happy to be at the club.

Netherlands' Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring their second goal with Frenkie de Jong on September 7, 2023 © Reuters

"I am at the club where I always wanted to be, where I dreamed of," De Jong said in an interview with Dutch outlet NOS.

"I have not yet won the trophies I want to win and I am not yet the player I want to be. There is still room for improvement and I still have time, but I would like to get there as quickly as possible. As a footballer you want to win the big prizes, I haven't won them yet."

While he seemingly has no immediate plans to leave the La Liga champions, he seemingly left the door open to a future departure.

When asked whether testing himself in a new league had any appeal, De Jong replied: "Possibly. But I'm very satisfied at Barca. It's always difficult to say. For now I feel good here!"

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong pictured during training on February 22, 2023 © Reuters

Although De Jong is not planning for an immediate departure, according to 90min, he remains on Man United's radar.

The midfielder, who is under contract until June 2026, is currently preparing for Barcelona's return to La Liga action this week.

Xavi's charges will kick off 2024 with a trip to Gran Canaria for Thursday's clash with newly-promoted Las Palmas.

After missing Barcelona's most recent outing through suspension, De Jong is likely to return to the starting lineup for the club's first game of the new year.

Barcelona are currently in fourth position and seven points adrift of top spot after struggling for consistency in the first half of the campaign.