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Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent
Frenkie de Jong‘s agent has denied rumors linking the midfielder with a move to Saudi Arabia and said he remains fully focused on his success with Barcelona.
Reports from Spain claimed that Ali Dursun, who represents De Jong, has spoken with several Saudi parties about a possible transfer as the Netherlands international struggles for minutes at Barca.
“The stories about a possible move to Saudi Arabia are completely absurd,” Dursun responded in comments to De Telegraaf Friday.
“They only distract from Frenkie’s true ambition: to shine at Barça, the club he loves and where he feels at home.
“Both parties are happy with each other and, who knows, maybe we can stay together longer…”
De Jong, 27, joined Barca from Ajax in 2019 and has a contract with the Catalan club until 2026, but is currently going through his most difficult period since arriving in Spain.
He missed the first few months of the season with an ankle injury suffered last April, eventually returning to the first team in October.
Before his return, he spoke of “mental trauma” the injury, which also ruled him out of the European Championship with the The Netherlandshad caused him.
Since then, minutes have been difficult to come by, with Barça coach Hansi Flick often preferring Marc Casado, Pedri, Gavi And Daniel Olmo at De Jong in the middle of the park.
Of De Jong’s 13 appearances in all competitions this season, only two have come as a starter, while he was an unused substitute in Barca’s final two games before the winter break, defeats against Leganes And Atletico Madrid.
Flick has regularly spoken about his desire to get the best out of De Jong, with sources telling ESPN that the German coach is a big fan of the Dutchman.
“Now he has to regain the confidence he needs,” Flick said at the end of November.
“We have to give that away. I know it’s important for him to play too. At the moment we are looking at each match, step by step. We want to play with the best team we can give at the moment.
“Maybe that’s why he doesn’t get the minutes he wants; we want. He will come back, for sure, I am 100% sure of it, but it takes time.
Barca will not return to action until January 4 when they travel to Barbastro in King’s Cup. They then face Athletics club in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup on January 8 in Saudi Arabia.