‘I insist’: Club president is adamant that his £65m midfielder won’t join Liverpool this year

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that midfielder Frenkie de Jong is not for sale and he won’t be leaving the club this year.

This comes amid links with Liverpool, with ESPN claiming that the Reds join Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign the Dutchman this month.

As relayed by journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Catalan chief ruled out a move for the 25-year-old, despite financial troubles at his club.

“Frenkie de Jong is not for sale,” said Laporta.

“He wasn’t for sale in the summer, and he won’t leave this year.

“De Jong is a very appealing footballer, we know that, but I insist he’s not for sale”.

De Jong unlikely to move this year

Whilst the Netherlands international was the subject of heavy speculation surrounding a move to Man United over the summer, he ended up staying at Camp Nou. Laporta went on to claim that De Jong is a crucial part of Xavi’s team going forward.

The 25-year-old has made 18 appearances for Spanish giants this term, having contributed two goals and one assist from a deep-lying midfield position.

At the World Cup with Holland, De Jong played nearly every minute for Louis van Gaal’s side, including the full 120 minutes against Argentina in the quarter-finals.

Having joined Barcelona in 2019 in a deal worth £65m, the midfielder has had an up and down career in La Liga.

Whilst it was claimed the Catalan heavyweights wanted to sell him last year when finances were a huge issue at the club, De Jong made it clear that he wanted to stay.

Therefore, with this sudden turnaround from Laporta, it seems more unlikely now than ever before that the Dutchman could leave Barcelona in the imminent future.