Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has, on Friday, provided an insight into the futures of two transfer-linked members of his first-team squad.
First up comes the latest on the saga which has gripped the Spanish and English media alike to this point in the summer – Frenkie de Jong’s links to the Premier League.
Dutchman De Jong, of course, is a man in demand with a view to the new campaign, added to the respective wishlists of both Manchester United and Chelsea after, it was understood, being made available for transfer at the Camp Nou.
And yet, to this point, no such move has been forthcoming for the 25-year-old.
Speaking to the media on Friday, it therefore came as little surprise when the topic of De Jong’s place in his ranks was put to the aforementioned Xavi.
And though the Spanish tactician was keen to reiterate the midfield all-rounder’s ‘importance’, he too refused to rule out the possibility of a sale coming to fruition before the transfer window slams shut:
Xavi on Frenkie de Jong: “I consider Frenkie important for me, he’s in the squad and that’s it. Until August 31st, we’ll see because the market is still open”. ⚠️🇳🇱 #FCB
“We don’t know what’s going to happen with many players until the end of the window”. pic.twitter.com/BEWjU0KIBS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2022
Just six months on from his free agent arrival, it has been suggested that Xavi and co. could simply cut their losses, in a bid to clear space on the club’s heavily bloated wage bill.
This of course comes with Robert Lewandowski having made his way to the Catalan capital last month.
If the latest comments on the part of his manager are anything to go by, though, then Aubameyang, a known Chelsea target, appears altogether unlikely to be on the move again any time soon.
Instead, Xavi remains adamant that the Gabonese international ‘can help’ his side this season:
Xavi: “I’m counting on Pierre Aubameyang. I’m really delighted with him, he can help us. Those I am not counting on already know, they know won’t play. Between now and August 31, different things can happen”. 🔵🔴 #FCB
“I really like Aubameyang”, he added. pic.twitter.com/K0i0bXeGRb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2022
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