De Jong hopes De Ligt will choose Barcelona

Frenkie De Jong is not trying to persuade Matthijs de Ligt into joining Barcelona, but he hopes that is what will happen in the end. Asked after the 3-1 win over England in UEFA Nations League semifinal, De Jong spoke about his Ajax teammate (at least he was until recently) and whether he was persuading him to choose Blaugrana.

“No, he has to make his own decisions. Of course I would like him to come to Barcelona but we will see what happens. It’s up to him. I don’t know, it’s his decision. You have to ask him about it but I hope he comes to Barca.”

De Jong added: “Of course we talk about it [De Ligt joining Barca]. It’s not up to me to say what he’s going to do or his thoughts. I don’t have an influence on his choice. He has to make it on his own and with his family.”