Barcelona president Joan Laporta has again reiterated that the club want Frenkie de Jong to stay at Camp Nou beyond the end of this summer's transfer window.
There has been widespread speculation surrounding De Jong's future since the end of May, with Manchester United said to be determined to bring him to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are remaining patient when it comes to the Netherlands international, but a recent report claimed that the club were becoming increasingly frustrated by the delay to a proposed deal.
De Jong is said to be owed in the region of £17m by Barcelona in deferred wages, with the Catalan giants thought to be keen to move him on this summer to ease their financial problems.
However, when questioned on the matter, Laporta has said on a number of occasions that the La Liga giants want the Dutchman to stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window.
In his latest comments, the Barcelona president has called the 25-year-old a player "of great quality" and has insisted that the club want him to stay amid the ongoing transfer speculation.
"Frenkie de Jong is a Barca player of great quality and we want him to stay. With him and his teammates, we have a very powerful midfield. He has offers, but we want him to stay and he wants to stay too," Laporta told reporters.
Man United are believed to have come to an agreement with Barcelona over a €85m (£71.5m) deal, although De Jong is said to be reluctant to make the move to Old Trafford this summer.
Th midfielder made 46 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing four goals and five assists in the process, but his ability to raise a high transfer fee could see him leave Camp Nou before the end of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the former Ajax youngster, although Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has played down the club's chances of signing him.
"Yeah, if we can add, we add. Maybe not necessarily a midfielder as a first option but we're open for everything," Tuchel told Sky Sports News.
"I think we can use new energy, new legs and fresh input to bring us to a new level. If not, then we will push this team but I think we could use some more input and some more quality. We're on it but we will not tell you [who]."
Man United's need for a central midfielder was again on display during Sunday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Red Devils.
However, speaking ahead of the contest, Man United boss Erik ten Hag said that the club would only make more signings this summer if "the right players" were available.
"The current squad, they make good progress. I'm happy with the signings until now. We just don't need any player, you need the right players and that's the point where we're working all together," the Dutchman told reporters.
De Jong has been heavily involved in Barcelona's preparations for the new campaign despite the ongoing speculation surrounding his future. body check tags ::
