De Jong confirms Ajax stay after Champions League qualification
Despite the midfielder being strongly linked with a move to Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong has confirmed that he is staying at Ajax.
Published : Aug 29, 2018 19:13 IST
Barcelona target Frenkie de Jong has confirmed that he will not leave Ajax after helping his team qualify for the group stages of the Champions League.
Eredivisie giantsAjax held Dynamo Kiev to a 0-0 draw in Ukraine on Tuesday, ensuring that it progressed, thanks to its 3-1 home win in the first leg.
De Jong has long been linked with Barcelona, with the LaLiga champion reportedly still keen to strengthen its midfield ahead of Friday's transfer deadline.
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But, the 21-year-old insisted that he is going nowhere after Ajax booked a seat at Europe's table. "Maybe someday I'll join Barcelona, but not this season. I'm staying at Ajax. I think it will be a good year," he told NOS .
"I'd love to play with Ajax against Barcelona. Our squad is good and we deserved to reach the group stage. Now, we're about to find out what we're capable of in the Champions League. It will be my first time [facing those big opponents], but I hope to draw a group with perspective to march on."
Ajax's teenage defender Matthijs de Ligt has also been linked with a move to Camp Nou.