Barcelona is preparing for a busy window in the summer transfer and although they want to keep Frenkie de Jong, they are willing to punish the exit of Ansu Fati and other stars
Barcelona Chief Deco has underlined the wish of the club to keep Frenkie de Jong and wants to see “one of the best center-backs in the world” in Ronald Arajo stay with the La Liga champions while they start their summer plans.
The Catalans have just completed the double in Spain with Hansi film of a hugely successful first year that is in charge. The attention is aimed at their summer recruitment and retention with De Jong, who is often associated with a move, are a strong part of the club's plans.
Manchester United is still advertised as a destination, but the former Ajax man has just enjoyed one of his best years with Barcelona and, while taking on the last year of his deal, the club is preparing to sit down for conversations about an extension.
Deco said to La Vanguardia: “The Frenkie we had this season is the Frenkie we want. We want to continue with Frenkie, he has another year on his contract and we will calmly analyze things.”
Barcelona had to follow the border financially with La Liga, who affected them by punishments, which meant that they had trouble registering Dani Olmo after they signed him last summer. Now the club comes after the signing of Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.
Ansu Fati is a player who seems intended to leave after he has not realized his potential in the well camp. Once tipped as the heir of Lionel Messi, he has struggled for form and spent earlier time in loan in Brighton. Deco accepts that a move, possibly to France, can be useful, but they are not interested in letting him go permanently.
He said: “With the age he is and the career he has had, he cannot play without playing. We are open to not bring problems if he wants to leave. Monaco has spoken to us. Ansu has a contract, if they ask him, it would be a loan. He is 23 years old, we talk about him as if he was 30, but for me he still has to grow and learn to grow and learn to grow.”
Deco has also excluded the prospect that Arajo left the club, insisting that he is one of the best in his position. The defender has been associated with a Manchester movement in the past. Injury in the first half of the season meant that he only started 11 La Liga matches, but he remains many.
“What we want is to improve the team, not making it worse,” said the Chief Barcelona. “And if we lose an important piece, we make it worse. Ronald has a contract, has renewed and has a difficult season ago, with unfair criticism. He is one of the best center backs in the world. Leaving is not in the plans of Ronald. He wants to come back to his best level.”