Hansi Flick gives verdict on Frenkie de Jong amid rumours of Barcelona exit | OneFootball

Hansi Flick says he values Frenkie de Jong as a player in Barcelona's squad and "cannot control what comes from outside" as the Dutchman continues to be linked with a transfer away from Catalonia.

The former Ajax midfielder arrived at Camp Nou in 2019 after impressing during his old club's run to the Champions League semi-finals. He has won one La Liga title alongside Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana triumphs, but has often been made a scapegoat for Barca's problems in recent years.

De Jong has been touted as a target for Manchester United in the past, with media outlets highlighting his complicated contract situation while the 27-year-old frequently signalled his desire to stay put.

He came in for criticism after a substitute cameo against Real Betis at the weekend, coming on with Barca 1-0 up before they slumped to a 2-2 draw, but manager Flick has reiterated De Jong's importance to the squad.

Speaking before the Champions League clash with Monaco, the former Bayern Munich boss said: "For me he [De Jong] is a very important player. That is my opinion and I cannot control what comes from outside. He is a great professional and gives his all in training. For us he is an important player."

De Jong has been singled out for criticism / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

It was recently claimed Barca are looking to offload De Jong next summer due to a contract standoff, while reports have also suggested the Catalan giants could accept a transfer fee as low as €20m (£16.6m) to get him off their books.

A significant injury suffered in April last season saw Netherlands international De Jong miss Euro 2024 and he only returned to first-team action in October, starting just two games across La Liga and the Champions League since.

De Jong's contract expires in 2026 but he has been usurped in the midfield pecking order at Barca since first getting injured, with Pedri, Marc Casado and Dani Olmo starting in Saturday's draw. Gavi, Eric Garcia and Fermin Lopez are also available to Flick, while Marc Bernal impressed before being downed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.