Barcelona's decisive stand: Frenkie de Jong here to stay

Despite interest from top European clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea - Barcelona remain resolute in retaining their Dutch midfield maestro.

"Frenkie, Pedri, Gavi, [Ronald] Araujo are players for the present and the future. They have contracts and they have to stay for more years," Deco assured Catalunya Radio, emphasizing the club's commitment to retaining key assets.

Addressing De Jong's recent frustrations over transfer speculation, Deco acknowledged, "What we talk about with the agents we can't make public... If they say something that is not true, it is normal for him to get angry. He has every right to speak out."

Despite uncertainties surrounding Barcelona's finances, Deco remains adamant about the club's stance on retaining their prized assets. "Nobody has told me that we can't pay his wages and we have to sell him," he affirmed, quelling concerns over financial constraints.

De Jong, who arrived at Camp Nou from Ajax in 2019, has become an integral part of Barcelona's setup, amassing 209 appearances and contributing 17 goals along with 21 assists. Despite a brief spell on the sidelines due to injury earlier in the season, his recent performances have underscored his importance, notably scoring in Barcelona's recent emphatic 4-0 victory over Getafe.

The 26-year-old's loyalty to Barcelona was previously tested in 2022 when Manchester United came knocking, but De Jong opted to remain loyal to the Blaugrana, a decision that has further endeared him to the club faithful.

As Barcelona navigate through a transitional phase, with Xavi Hernandez at the helm for now, retaining players of De Jong's calibre becomes paramount. With Deco's reassurances, Barcelona's midfield linchpin is firmly entrenched in their plans for the foreseeable future.

Read More: Barcelona tracking Atletico Madrid's Mario Hermoso for defensive reinforcement (planetsport.com)