Man Utd-target De Jong left off Xavi’s list of transfer listed players

Nicholas Hughes

• 20 Dec 2021 11:24 GMT
• 5 min read

Manchester United might have been dealt a blow in the transfer market with reports that Xavi is intent on keeping hold of Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona.

The Red Devils have long been admirers of the former Ajax prodigy, but Mundo Deportivo are suggesting that the Dutchman will not be sold in January.

De Jong has been largely underwhelming so far this season after seeming to turn his Barcelona career around with a brilliant campaign last time out.

But this season is proving similar to his first one at the Camp Nou, with many reports previously suggesting Barcelona could look at selling him.

Xavi appears to have faith in the 24-year-old, though, and will hope that he can impart some of his wisdom from representing the club in midfield onto his star player.

Some other Barcelona players have been less fortunate in their efforts to be part of Xavi’s plans, with Mundo Deportivo also claiming that four players will be made available for transfer in January.

De Jong, Coutinho, Umtiti and Neto out the door at Barcelona

Luuk de Jong was very much a Ronald Koeman signing on deadline day, and the Dutch striker has played just 11 games and scored once with Barca so far. The Blaugrana are looking for a club to take over their loan deal, or otherwise they will be willing to pay Sevilla to terminate the loan early.

Really ever since his mega-money move from Liverpool, Philippe Coutinho has failed to impress and is another player that is now up for sale.

He has already been shipped out previously with a loan spell at Bayern Munich in the 2019/20 season, but he has been made available for some time without any substantial interest appearing to come in.

Joining those two on Xavi’s four-man list are Samuel Umtiti and goalkeeper Neto. Between them, the pair have made just three La Liga appearances this season and will be on the lookout for new clubs in January.