Barcelona's plan for Frenkie de Jong 'leaked' amid Man Utd transfer interest

Times have changed when it comes to Barcelona and their standing in the transfer market.

No longer the top of the food chain, due to years of financial mismanagement the Blaugrana are now in a position where their best talents could be picked off.

One of those talents is Frenkie de Jong, who reports claim Manchester United would be all too happy to take off the cash-strapped LaLiga giants.

Signed for £65million from Ajax in the summer of 2019, De Jong has had an up and down time at the Camp Nou, but under new boss Xavi he appears front and centre of their plans.

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The Dutchman has started all but one game since Xavi's appointment and the legendary Spanish midfielder has made it clear he has no intentions of selling him.

"Frenkie de Jong will not leave the club," Xavi bluntly said last week. "He's not for sale - we consider Frenkie as a key player for Barca."

But according to a report in El Nacional, Barca president Joan Laporta could be forced into a sale with Xavi himself admitting it is a case of selling before they buy at present.

He continued: "The club is working to strengthen the team in the winter transfer window.

"If a new signing arrives, someone has to leave."

The report in the Spanish press claims new United boss Ralf Ragnick is interested in signing De Jong, with the belief they could land him for around £47m.

At present that looks well below what the Catalan giants would accept and Xavi's plan to overcome the odds in the Champions League this week point to his importance.

Barca face Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday, knowing defeat could see them dumped out of the competition.

Third-placed Benfica know if they can beat Dynamo Kyiv in Lisbon and Barca fail to beat Bayern they will leapfrog them and secure passage into the knockout stages.

It's a daunting challenge for newly appointed Xavi, but one he is taking a meticulous approach to achieve.

Mundo Deportivo leaked a 10-point plan the head coach has devised, including not focusing on Benfica and playing out from the back.

But point seven directly alludes to United target De Jong, claiming 'the road to goal' will go through with him.

In recent weeks he has played further forward on the right and Xavi thinks that could be key to their success against the 2020 European champions.

Regardless of how successful his blueprint is, Xavi clearly sees the 24-year-old as a key component of his side and if Rangnick is to land his man, he will likely need to part with some serious cash to do so.