Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 12:02 pm• Jordi Tomasowa • Last update: 12:39

The future of Nico González is still uncertain. The twenty-year-old talent is open to a loan due to the fierce competition in Barcelona’s midfield, but according to Mundo Deportivo trainer Xavi wants to keep him in the selection for the time being.

Much depends on a possible departure of Frenkie De Jong. Several Catalan media previously assured that Barcelona is trying to force him to the exit of the Camp Nou. The Spanish top club wants to bring in the 75 million euros that Manchester United are guaranteed to transfer and would therefore put pressure on the 25-year-old midfielder, which is contradicted by Barcelona itself. De Jong previously refused a salary reduction and is also not interested in a reunion with Erik ten Hag. That is not due to the former Ajax coach, but to the fact that De Jong does not want to leave Barcelona.

Nico made the switch from Barcelona B to the main squad during the preparation for last season and then made his debut in the first round of LaLiga with a 4-2 win over Real Sociedad under Ronald Koeman in the first team. The Spaniard also garnered much praise during his Champions League debut, when Barcelona recorded a 0-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv.

Last season Nico made 38 official games (1,787 minutes) for Barcelona in all competitions. In midfield, however, he had to tolerate Sergio Busquets, Gavi, De Jong and Pedri. With the arrival of Franck Kessié and Pablo Torre, the competition will increase even more next season. Should De Jong still leave for Manchester United in the last weeks of the summer transfer window, then a loan from Nico for Xavi does not seem an option.