KEY POINTS

  • Frenkie de Jong moved from Ajax to Barca in 2019
  • Barcelona had defeated City and PSG to sign de Jong in 2019
  • He is contracted with Barca until 2026

Frenkie de Jong has reportedly made his decision over his FC Barcelona future ahead of the 2022-23 season amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.

Barcelona have put de Jong on their transfer list as the La Liga giants are looking to register new signings such as Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, and Franck Kessie. The Catalans want de Jong off their wages list, but the Dutch midfielder, at this point, has decided to stay put at Camp Nou, reported Spanish outlet THE SPORT.

De Jong, who is admired by both Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and Chelsea’s head coach Thomas Tuchel, has "no intention" of leaving this summer.

In the summer of 2019, Barcelona had defeated the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign de Jong from Ajax. Over the last few years, Barcelona have struggled under various managers such as Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien, and Ronald Koeman before former captain Xavi Hernandez took over the charge in the middle of the last term.

It is understood de Jong, who is contracted with the Catalans until 2026, believes he has not reached his full potential at Camp Nou and wants to deliver for the club in the upcoming campaign.

Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's opening goal with team mates during the Supercopa de Espana Semi Final match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona at Estadio Nuevo Arcangel on January 13, 2021 in Cordoba, Spain. Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Apart from de Jong, Chelsea are also interested in securing Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Fabrizio Romano, who has a credible record in the European transfer market. While Chelsea have opened talks with Aubameyang’s representatives, The Blues have not approached Barcelona with an official bid for the player.

Gabon forward joined the Catalans in January after being stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal and has a contract until 2025 with Barcelona. He had a fine start to his life at Barcelona as he netted 13 goals and an assist in 23 competitive appearances and his performances were influential in Barcelona’s second place in the 2021-22 La Liga.

Barcelona are scheduled to kickstart their 2022-23 La Liga campaign with a home game against Rayo Vallecano on Aug. 13.

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