KEY POINTS

  • Frenkie de Jong is being linked with Man Utd
  • Xavi wants Barcelona to make a prolific signing before De Jong's exit
  • Barcelona are also close to landing Lewandowski

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez is reportedly willing to part ways with Frenkie de Jong, but on one condition.

Even though Xavi wants De Jong to continue at Barcelona, he would allow the Dutchman's departure only if the Catalan club signs either Robert Lewandowski or Bernardo Silva, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

In addition, De Jong's game at Barcelona was quite different from his game with the Netherlands side, something that suited him better, the former Ajax midfielder once had admitted.

"I play very differently here (with the Netherlands ) than at Barca, I think this suits me much better. I like to be the first player to get the ball from defenders and connect with the attack," De Jong previously said, according to the report.

De Jong's original game contradicts Xavi's requirements, which is why the head coach won't stand in way of the former's possible exit from Camp Nou.

De Jong's sale also frees up wages and gets money on the market for Barcelona to further strengthen their squad ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Lionel Messi with Frenkie de Jong at the end of Barcelona's 2-0 win away to Juventus
Lionel Messi with Frenkie de Jong during a Barcelona game AFP / Marco BERTORELLO

It was earlier reported that De Jong was close to joining Manchester United as the Red Devils were ready to pay around $84 million for the Netherlands national.

While Xavi considers the arrival of Lewandowski as key for the side, he is also aware that Barcelona's biggest problem last term was their lack of goals following the departures of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Antoine Griezmann. Xavi did sign Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January but it looks like the coach still wants a guaranteed top-class goalscorer for the upcoming campaign.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has also been linked with a move to Barcelona as Xavi believes he is an ideal replacement for De Jong because of his technique and style. However, Etihad boss Pep Guardiola has played down the links, saying "They will have a difficult time," according to 90Min.

Despite a turbulent season, Barcelona managed to finish second in the 2021-22 La Liga. Xavi will look to challenge for the league title next season.

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